Tottenham Hotspur transfer news: Shaquile Coulthirst joins Peterborough United in permanent deal

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the sale of Shaquile Coulthirst, with the promising striker dropping two divisions to join League One play-off contenders Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee. The 21-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half year contract at the ABAX Stadium and becomes the Posh's third signing in just two days following the respective arrivals of Norwich City defender Harry Toffolo and Adil Nabi from West Bromwich Albion.

Such a deal comes at a time when Spurs are seeking to boost their own forward options and provide competition for Harry Kane, as primary back-up Clinton Njie continues to recover from surgery on a knee ligament injury. Mauricio Pochettino revealed earlier this week that there were "a lot of players and names" that currently want to move to White Hart Lane, but insisted that the club has enough encouraging youngsters to help out in the event that they cannot make any new signings by February's transfer deadline.

Young hitmen Shayon Harrison and Kazaiah Sterling were both mentioned as possessing significant potential, although Coulthirst was evidently not part of the manager's first-team plans and will now continue his development in the Football League.

"Peterborough United are delighted to announce the signing of striker Shaquile Coulthirst for an undisclosed fee from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur," the club confirmed via their official website on 22 January.

"The 21-year-old has penned a three-and-a-half-year contract at the ABAX Stadium and completed the formalities of the move on Friday morning. The England under-19 international was attracting the attention of a number of other clubs, but chose Posh as the next stage in his career, with boss Graham Westley one of the most instrumental parts in his move."

Coulthirst already boasts plenty of senior experience in the bottom two tiers of English football, having been dispatched for previous short-term loan stints with the likes of Leyton Orient and Wigan Athletic as well as Torquay United, Southend United and York City. Although far from prolific during those spells, he was mainly used as a left-winger.

That will not be the case at Peterborough, however, with both Westley and owner Darragh MacAnthony confirming that he will be chiefly deployed as a central striker from now on.

"Welcome to Posh Shaquile Coulthirst, our new lightning quick striker from Spurs," MacAnthony, who confirmed that Peterborough faced late interest in the player from a rival League One club, tweeted after the deal was completed. "Wasted on wings at loan clubs, down middle for us."

Commenting on his move, Coulthirst said: "The manager really demonstrated that he wanted me to sign for the football club and as a player if you feel wanted then it makes the decision easier. Peterborough are a good side, they score lots of goals and I cannot wait to get started.

"It is a tough decision to leave Tottenham because I have been there a really long time, but I feel it is the right time to make the move and I feel this is the right club to be at."