Acimovic, who joined the north London club from Red Star Belgrade in Yugoslavia, was fresh from the World Cup in Japan/Korea, where he was a shining light in an otherwise disastrous campaign for the Slovenian squad. Scored against Paraguay in the finals.

Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle likened the star to former West Ham and England great Trevor Brooking when securing the pre-contract agreement two months earlier.

Won the Yugoslav championship on numerous occasions with Red Star.

Boss Glenn Hoddle told the club's official website: 'He's a very, very good player, we're delighted. He's on a Bosman and we've been watching and monitoring him for some time, been across to see him and watched lots and lots of tapes.

'He virtually got Slovenia to the World Cup on his own. He scored four goals in qualifying games and that is terrific against good opposition. He is a very creative player from midfield and at 24 years of age he's one for the future for us.