Tottenham have announced the signing of Belgium international defender Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid — despite the potential of legal proceedings from Southampton.

Alderweireld, 26, moves to White Hart Lane having spent last season on loan with Ronald Koeman’s Southampton, who had a deal in place to sign the former Ajax man.

Atlético could pay £1.5million (€2.1m) to Saints to cancel that agreement but the south coast club claim that the La Liga outfit did not do so in time and therefore claim they should have been the front-runners to sign Alderweireld.

But the player has now signed a contract with Tottenham until 2020, with the club announcing the deal on their official Twitter account on Wednesday morning.

“SIGNED: We are delighted to announce the signing of AlderweireldTob from Atletico Madrid. #WelcomeToby,” their Tweet read.

Alderweireld also took to Twitter to tell of his pleasure at completing a move to Spurs, whilst also thanking Southampton.

“Very excited to join SpursOfficial. Looking fwd to this but also looking back a great SouthamptonFC season. Great club & fans! Thanks!,” he wrote.

With 47 caps for Belgium, as well as three Eredivisie titles and a Primera Division winners’ medal, Alderweireld brings a wealth of experience to White Hart Lane.

He will also link up with countryman and former Ajax team-mate Jan Vertonghen as well as fellow Belgium internationals Nacer Chadli and Mousa Dembele.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Alderweireld revealed he already knew plenty about Mauricio Pochettino’s side courtesy of his compatriots.

“I’m very proud to become a Spurs player,” he said.

“I’m very happy to be here and I hope to have a wonderful time with this team. From the beginning I knew a lot about it (the club) from Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele and Nacer Chadli.

“It’s a big club and it’s always been a dream to play at a club like Spurs. Now that dream is coming true so I’m very happy, very proud and I will give my best.”