Malbranque settles on Spurs switch

Tottenham Hotspur FC have agreed an undisclosed fee with Fulham FC for French midfielder Steed Malbranque, with English Under-21 international winger Wayne Routledge moving in the other direction. French international defender Pascal Chimbonda, meanwhile, has also completed his protracted move to White Hart Lane.

'Skilful and versatile'
The 26-year-old Malbranque had 12 months left on his contract at Fulham and has now crossed London to White Hart Lane, although details of the deal have not been made public. "Steed is a skilful, versatile midfielder of real quality," said Tottenham manager Martin Jol. "He's a player we have always admired and we're delighted he has come to us. He can play on the left, centre and right of midfield and will work well within our system." Malbranque, however, will have to wait to make his debut as a groin injury will keep him sidelined for ten weeks.

Routledge loan
Jol – whose side visit SK Slavia Praha in the UEFA Cup first round first leg on 14 September – has allowed Routledge to join Fulham on loan for the season, with the 21-year-old having spent part of 2005/06 in a similar arrangement at Portsmouth FC. "Wayne was very unlucky last season when he did so well in pre-season but then broke his foot in our first Premiership game. It's important that Wayne continues to play consistently in the Premiership. He is a valuable member of our squad and we want him to continue to develop."

Chimbonda in
Tottenham have also signed Chimbonda after agreeing a fee with Wigan Athletic FC having had two previous bids for the 27-year-old full-back rejected. The defender, who moved to England in summer 2005 from SC Bastia and was an unused member of France's squad at the FIFA World Cup finals, said: "I always wanted to be here. It is a footballing decision." Fulham, meanwhile, have also signed Czech Republic goalkeeper Jan Laštuvka on a season-long loan from FC Shakhtar Donetsk, with the option of a permanent transfer for the 24-year-old.