Spurs set to land Chiriches as £8.5m defender arrives at Heathrow ahead of switch



Vlad Chiriches has arrived in London to complete his £8.5million move to Tottenham from Steaua Bucharest.



The Romanian international defender, 23, was pictured arriving at Heathrow airport with his wife on Wednesday night.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch AVB talk about signing Vlad Chiriches... if no-one nicks him

London calling: Vlad Chiriches arrives at Heathrow airport with his wife on Wednesday night

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has been looking to bolster his defence following the departures of Steven Caulker and William Gallas.



Chiriches will compete for a start with fellow centre backs Michael Dawson, Jan Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul.



Villas-Boas' confirmed Spurs' interest in the 19-cap international on Tuesday night, joking that he hoped Chelsea wouldn't hijack the bid as they did with £32m-man Willian.



Incoming? Romanian Vlad Chiriches could be on his way to Tottenham

He said: 'Vlad Chiriches - there is an interest in the player, maybe somebody steals him as well



'I'm telling you we have looked to strengthen our backline with the departure of Steven Caulker, last year we had Younes Kaboul injured for the season but we had five, so we are looking for the position and we are going to go ahead with our re-strengthening.'

Cover: The loss of Steven Caulker to Cardiff (left) and William Gallas on a free (right) means Spurs need bodies



Chiriches has played at four different Romanian clubs and he also had a one-year spell at Benfica between 2007 and 2008.



An imposing figure at 6ft 1in, Chiriches can also play at full back or in midfield.

Busy: Chiriches will be Andre Villas-Boas' fifth signing of the summer



