Kranjcar completes Dynamo switch

Niko Kranjcar has completed his transfer to Dynamo Kiev, the Ukrainian club have announced.

The 27-year-old midfielder revealed yesterday that Tottenham had reached an agreement with Dynamo over a deal, and his new employers confirmed the transfer in a statement on their website.

“After successful negotiations, Niko Kranjcar has signed a four-year contract with Dynamo Kiev,” the statement read.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp signed Kranjcar from Portsmouth in 2009 and he made a big impact in his first campaign, scoring five goals and providing many assists from the left flank in 32 appearances.

But the emergence of Gareth Bale meant the Croatian dropped down the pecking order the following season and only made nine Barclays Premier League starts in 2011/12, although his campaign was curtailed by a knee injury.

Although Tottenham are yet to confirm the sale of their player, it is anticipated the deal will be officially signed off once the international transfer window opens on Saturday.

Dynamo had tried to sign Kranjcar twice before, most recently last summer, but the Ukrainians balked at the transfer fee Spurs quoted for their versatile midfielder.

The Croatian, who is currently on international duty at Euro 2012, is eager to repay the faith shown in him by Dynamo Kiev chairman Ihor Surkis, who is reported to have paid £5.5m for the player’s services.

When asked why he joined the Champions League qualifiers, Kranjcar said on Dynamo’s website: “The perseverance of Surkis.

“I know he wanted to sign me back in 2003 when I was at Dinamo Zagreb.

“Many years later Kiev again tried to sign me, and Surkis personally took control of the negotiations.

“I thought the price was too high that Spurs wanted for me last year and I thought then they would not come back for me, but Surkis again entered the fray.

“He has tried so hard to sign me that I simply had to pay him back.

“I want to make a good impression on him and the fans.

“This is one of the most respectable clubs in eastern Europe.”