Tottenham tonight won the £7million race for Jonathan Woodgate.

Middlesbrough's England defender snubbed Newcastle.

And injury-hit Spurs could even plunge Woodgate straight in against Manchester United on Saturday.

The 28-year-old agreed terms this afternoon after Spurs' offer was accepted.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate said: "We gave Jonathan permission to speak to Newcastle and Tottenham.

"There was a fee agreed with Newcastle but it was Jonathan's decision. He goes with our best wishes."

Woodgate was targeted by three Premiership clubs despite niggling injuries over recent months.

And he has rejected staying in the North East as part of Kevin Keegan's Toon transformation, choosing instead to re-ignite his England hopes under Juande Ramos.

The former Leeds star saw his spells with Newcastle and Real Madrid plagued by fitness problems.

But he was back to near his best form last season as one of the few bright lights with home-town club Boro.

And he has started 16 games this term.

Subscribe to the post comments feeds or Leave a trackback