Croatian teen prodigy Tin Jedvaj has confirmed he turned down an offer from Tottenham and chose to sign for Serie A club AS Roma instead. The 17-year-old central defender completed a £4.3m move to the Stadio Olimpico last week and has already impressed his new employers, who say they expect him to be as great as AC Milan and Italy legend Paolo Maldini.

Spurs were strongly linked to the youngster up until his move to Italy, with Dinamo Zagreb executive director Zdravko Mamic confirming the White Hart Lane club's interest earlier this month. Andre Villas-Boas was reportedly targeting the signings of Jedvaj and fellow youngster Alen Halilovic, for a massive £17m combined.

Andre Villas-Boas
Reuters

"In the last weeks, there had been a strong interest from Tottenham, but Roma did a strong negotiation and now I'm happy to be in this group," Jedvaj explained to his new employers' website.

"My hope is to win titles, to repay the faith the club showed me and to help Roma get a European place. I had many clubs who were interested, it is useless saying names. The most important thing is... this is a club with a big history. I'm sure I have joined one of the top three Italian sides," he concluded.

Jedvaj is now the second player in this transfer window to snub a move to north London and Andre Villas-Boas, after Spain international David Villa opted to leave Barcelona and sign for Atlético Madrid.

Meanwhile, the agent for Spurs' goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has revealed his client has not received an offer from former club PSV Eindhoven. He signed from the Eredivisie club in 2008

The 32-year-old Brazilian has 12 months left on his contract and little, if any, hope of either regular playing time or a new deal at his present club. The South American spent the second half of last season on loan to Bundesliga side TFG Hoffenheim, with whom he made a fantastic start, earning the captain's armband inside his first few games.

"I can confirm that we have not received any official offer or contact from PSV in relation to Heurelho's return. I am sure that if PSV want him back, Gomes' decision will be very easy to take," the agent stressed.

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