Tottenham Hotspur continue summer plans by handing new five-year contract to Kevin Wimmer

Kevin Wimmer has been rewarded for an encouraging debut season at Tottenham Hotspur by signing improved terms at White Hart Lane. The Austrian centre-back, who arrived in English football from Cologne last summer for a fee of approximately £4.3m ($5.6m) and was already under contract for another three years, has put pen to paper on a new deal that runs until 2021.

With Belgian duo and former Ajax teammates Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld reuniting to form arguably the most impressive defensive partnership in the Premier League in 2015/16, Wimmer was not considered as an automatic first-choice option under Mauricio Pochettino.

He proved a capable deputy when called upon, however, making 21 appearances across all competitions and confidently stepping up to the plate when Spurs' vice-captain was ruled out for over two months after damaging his medial collateral ligament against Crystal Palace in January.

"I'm delighted that I was able to sign a new contract to stay five more years with the club," the 23-year-old told Tottenham's official website following confirmation of that new deal. "It's a big pleasure for me, it makes me very happy and it's a dream come true that I can stay so long with such a big club.

"I called my mum and dad (to tell them) and of course they are also very happy. It's special for them because they know we always work hard, we train every day and the season is very long. They are delighted and very happy for me that I could sign a new contract and they are also very proud."

Wimmer is likely to step into the breach again during the opening stages of the new campaign after Vertonghen tore two of three external ankle ligaments during a training session with the Belgian national team ahead of their Euro 2016 quarter-final defeat to Wales at the start of the month.

The former LASK Linz defender was also present at the European Championships, but made just one late substitute appearance for Austria during their goalless draw with Portugal in Paris. Despite being considered by many as potential dark horses to make a real impact in France, Marcel Koller's disappointing side eventually finished bottom of Group F with just a solitary point and one goal to show for their efforts after defeats to Hungary and Iceland.

Wimmer's new contract is unlikely to be the last handed out by Tottenham over the coming weeks and The Telegraph report that impressive defensive midfield convert Eric Dier will sign a new five-year deal worth around £70,000-per-week in order to reflect his growing importance to both club and country.

Pochettino has already added powerful midfielder Victor Wanyama and Dutch striker Vincent Janssen to his first-team squad during the current transfer window and is expected to complete the £10.8m signing of Georges-Kevin Nkoudou shortly. Clinton Njie will head to Marseille on loan as part of the same agreement after a lacklustre and injury-hit first year following a move from Lyon.