Steven Bergwijn will prove to be a great signing for Tottenham – but he needs time to adjust to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.
That’s according to former Spurs favourite Rafael van der Vaart, as Jose Mourinho continues to make his mark during the January transfer window.
Bergwijn has put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year deal after Tottenham agreed a fee that will total around £27million with add-ons with PSV Eindhoven.
With talisman Harry Kane out of action through injury, the Netherlands international could be thrown straight into the deep end by Mourinho.
And his countryman van der Vaart – who scored 28 goals in two years with the north London club – has backed the striker to succeed.
Posting on social media, van der Vaart said: “I believe that Bergwijn will certainly be a great signing for Spurs.
“Obviously he will have to adjust to the PL (Premier League) pace and ambiance but his speed, technique and strength will certainly add something to the Spurs game. Good luck to Stevie and my Spurs.”
With the clock ticking down ahead of the January transfer window deadline – at 11pm on Friday evening – Mourinho has made three signings.
Bergwijn, 22, arrives on the back of Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes joining the club on loan from Benfica, while Giovani Lo Celso has made his loan switch from Real Betis permanent.
In the absence of England captain Kane, who is set to be sidelined until April with a hamstring injury, winger Bergwijn will initially be tasked with assisting Lucas Moura, Heung-min Son and Dele Alli in front of goal.
Capped nine times by the Netherlands, the now former PSV man scored five goals and laid on ten assists in 16 appearances during the first half of the Eredivisie season.
Bergwijn has been assigned the number 23 shirt by Tottenham, which was vacated earlier this week by Christian Eriksen upon his move to Inter Milan.
