Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock has confirmed that Tottenham had to beat off strong competition from Glasgow Rangers to capture Michael Brown.
Spurs will sign Brown when the transfer window reopens on New Year's Day having reached an agreement with the Blades for the player.
The midfielder had also been linked with a move north of the border and Warnock told Sky Sports News: "Rangers made him a fantastic offer but I think the lure of the Premiership swayed him. He's been dying to play at a higher level and we couldn't stand in his way really."
Brown impressed several times against top-flight opposition last season as the Blades progressed to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the League Cup. Warnock believes that experience will stand the 26-year-old in good stead and that Tottenham have made an astute signing.
"I think he's the type that Spurs need now, and one or two others for that matter - I'm surprised that none of the big clubs came in for him," added Warnock. "He's got a very good engine, he's at a good age, he's had plenty of experience, he can score goals and I think he'll enjoy it.
"The three games where he excelled last year were against Liverpool twice and Arsenal. He didn't look at all out of place in those games and, in fact, I think he was the best midfielder on show."
Brown, who started his career at Manchester City, has scored 28 goals in 142 league starts for the Blades. His first match for Tottenham is expected to be the home game against Liverpool on January 17, with suspension ruling him out of the FA Cup third round clash with Crystal Palace and Premiership clash at Leeds a week later.