‘‘Tottenham Hotspur plc is pleased to announce that agreement has been reached with Red Star Belgrade and the player Milenko Acimovic for the transfer of his registration under a four-year contract once certain formalities are concluded,’’ said a statement.

The 25-year-old midfielder had, earlier today, revealed: ‘‘I’ve spoken with (Spurs manager) Glenn Hoddle several times in the past few months and we both knew we would establish a fine relationship because we think the same way.

‘‘I’m very proud to sign for a club like Tottenham, with such reputation and tradition,’’ he told uefa.com.

A Spurs spokesman confirmed Acimovic, who has 39 caps, will join Hoddle’s squad after the World Cup.

‘‘He’s expected to be off with his national team and here for pre-season,’’ he said.

Hoddle had kept tabs on Acimovic and earmarked him as the man to form a dynamic midfield partnership with Jamie Redknapp, who has already joined from Liverpool for next season.

Former Olimpia Ljubljana player Acimovic is reported to have been in London over the last few days to finalise his move to White Hart Lane, which is believed be a free transfer.

His four-and-half-year stay at Red Star ended on a sour note, with a red card in the 1-1 draw with Hajduk Kula which halted his side’s championship challenge.

Acimovic apologised for his dismissal and focused on the silverware he won with the club.

‘‘I spent the most beautiful years of my life with Red Star,’’ he added.

‘‘I made my name there and won all the domestic titles, so I’m sorry my career there ended with the red card.’’