The clubs had earlier confirmed they had reached agreement for the 28-year-old who joined Boro from Real Madrid in August 2006, initially on loan with the move made permanent in April 2007.

"We are delighted to announce we have reached agreement with Middlesbrough for the transfer of Jonathan Woodgate," said a statement on Tottenham's official website.

Woodgate has made 19 league appearances for the Teesiders this season and details of the deal have yet to be announced.

Boro manager Gareth Southgate told his club's official website: "You're looking for everyone at your club to want to be here and be part of it.

"We wanted to give Jonathan the opportunity to speak to other clubs because when clubs call you about a player it usually means the player knows about it anyway.

"We were then asking a question a Jonathan - do you want to be here and be part of what we want to do or do you want to head off? "It seems he wanted to head off."

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