Tottenham confirm £15m signing of Fernando Llorente from Swansea on two-year deal
Mauricio Pochettino secures Spanish star to help ease the burden on Harry Kane as Spurs beat Chelsea to striker's signature
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TOTTENHAM have beaten Chelsea to sign Swansea City's Fernando Llorente for £15million.
The North London side confirmed the Spaniard's arrival just minutes before the summer transfer window slammed shut on Thursday.
Llorente has been a long-term target of Blues boss Antonio Conte but he has been pipped at the post again by the London rivals.
Llorente said: “I like Mauricio Pochettino and his mentality. The philosophy of the club is amazing.
“I am excited to come here. I am 32 years of age but I believe I can learn a lot of things off Harry.
“I am going to do my best and I think I can do more things in my career with Tottenham. My dream here is being here with Tottenham.
“I played for Athletic Bilbao at White Hart Lane in a friendly in 2011 and that made me want to come to Premier League.
“It’s a very good time to come to Tottenham. We have a good opportunity to win titles.”
As we told you yesterday, Poch was looking for support for Harry Kane, with Llorente being under strong consideration.
Chelsea were in pole position to land the former Athletic Bilbao striker but now, much like in the case with Romelu Lukaku, look set to lose out on one of their main targets.
Kane will lead the line for Poch this season but Llorente will now be able to take some of the strain off the England star.
Llorente is recovering from a broken arm suffered on his summer holidays but is back training and impressed last season with 15 Prem goals in his opening campaign.
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In fact, much of Swansea's successful escape from relegation can be put down to the big frontman.
His goals were worth a total of 13 points for Paul Clement's outfit last season, with only Diego Costa earning Chelsea more with 15.
Llorente rejected a move to the Blues in January in order to help the Swans beat the drop.
Conte worked with Llorente, 32, at Juventus and wanted him to provide competition in attack for the Blues as they defend the title.
However, those plans have now been scuppered with the veteran now set to join up with his new team-mates in the north of the capital.
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