Saha joins Spurs with Blackburn defender Nelsen set to follow as Rovers terminate contract



By Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail and Laura Williamson for MailOnline and John Edwards





Tottenham completed a shock move for Louis Saha on transfer deadline day, agreeing an 1 8-month deal with the striker on a free transfer from Everton.

Manager Harry Redknapp sent Sebastien Bassong on loan to Wolves and he remains hopeful about signing Blackburn Rovers' centre half Ryan Nelsen.



On the move: Tottenham completed a shock move for Louis Saha on deadline day

The New Zealand international had his contract dramatically cancelled moments before the deadline and so is free to join a new club at any time

Redknapp said: 'I'm hoping to sign Ryan Nelsen on a free until the end of the season. I think he's a great competitor and a good sort to have at your club. I have always liked him.'

Nelsen's agent has confirmed the defender was released by Blackburn, meaning he can complete his move to Spurs outside the transfer window.

Lyle Yorks, Nelsen's Washington-based representative from James Grant Sports, told the Washington Post: 'We settled with Blackburn and have reached agreement with Spurs.

'We're just awaiting clearance. It's for six months, with a one-year option. It all unfolded quickly.'

Redknapp also offloaded Roman Pavlyuchenko to Lokomotiv Moscow for £7.5m and allowed Steven Pienaar to return to Goodison Park for the rest of the season.

Life of Ryan: Nelsen will join Spurs after Blackburn tore up his contract

Vedran Corluka joined Bayer Leverkusen until the end of the season and youngster Adam Smith signed for Leeds on loan on a busy day for the Spurs boss.

Redknapp said: 'We got decent money for Pavlyuchenko and I think Louis Saha could come here and do well.

'He's got good movement, can score goals but probably needs a change. He's out of contract at the end of the year so (Everton boss) David Moyes has let him go.

'I can remember speaking to Rio Ferdinand and he said he was the best forward he'd played against.

'He gives me another striker - we've got Jermain Defoe but we lost Rafael van der Vaart again (to a calf injury).

On target: Saha scored the quickest goal in FA Cup final history for the Toffees







Saha admitted he was looking forward to his first training session with Spurs but also added on his Twitter account: 'I want to thanks fans for the great support I had at Everton. Great club, top players and staff, brilliant spirit. Love & wish u the very best.'

Saha made 19 appearances for Everton this season but has only scored two goals and the last of those came against Chelsea in the Carling Cup on October 26. He only had six months remaining on his contract at Goodison Park.

Since arriving at Goodison Park on a free transfer in August 2008, Saha has endured a number of fitness issues but he created a little bit of history for Everton in that he scored the quickest ever goal in an FA Cup final against Chelsea in May 2009.





