Confirmed - Tottenham snap up starlet

North London giants Tottenham Hotspur have won the race to sign to highly regarded Wales defender Chris Gunter from Cardiff.

Gunter, 18, has already made three full international appearances for his country.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones confirmed: "He is a young prospect - we wish him all the best,"

"You can't deny the lad the opportunity, he's done really well and broken into the full international team.

"We're sad to see him go but there is no way we could have kept hold of him or stood in his way.

"What we said to him was go and prove to everybody the potential we all thought you had.

"He's a very raw boy, he's still got a lot to learn.

"If he breaks into Tottenham's first team this season it would be fantastic for the kid."

Spurs have long maintained a policy of snapping up young British talent, with Gunter joining Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale in their exciting squad.

He continued: "He's very athletic, he's got great pace and can pick out a pass. He will get stronger and stronger.

"He's still not fully developed and I think Tottenham know they've bought somebody who they're going to have to nature along, just like we were trying to do here.

"Maybe they will have to be a little bit patient with him, because he is still learning his trade.

"I feel they've bought another good prospect like Gareth Bale - he's just as good and capable on the right-hand side."