Tottenham’s return to Champions League lured me to White Hart Lane, says £18.5m striker Vincent Janssen

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Tottenham's newest recruit Vincent Janssen admits the lure of Champions League football was a key factor in the striker’s £18.5m transfer from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

Janssen, who notched 27 goals in 34 appearances for AZ to finish as the Eredivisie’s leading scorer last season, completed the switch on Tuesday and has committed to a four-year contract.

“It’s very exciting,” said the 22-year-old. “It’s always a dream for me to play in the Champions League and now it’s very close. I’m happy and it’ll be brilliant to play there. When I was a little child I watched every game of the Champions League and I was so excited. Now I get to play it for myself.”

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Janssen, who will cost an initial £17m with potential top-up fees depending on performance, is Tottenham’s second summer signing after £11m Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama.

Spurs sealed their return to Europe’s top club competition by finishing third in the Premier League last season and will play their Champions League home games at Wembley while work on a new £400m stadium affects capacity at their White Hart Lane home.

Janssen won the Johan Cruyff trophy for the best young player in his debut season in the Dutch top flight.

That form earned him five international appearances for Holland, in which he has scored three goals, including a penalty against England in a 2-1 win at Wembley in March.

He added: “It’s a beautiful club, a traditional club. They did very good last year and I’m happy to play for the Spurs. I think I have a good chance to develop myself here. I can train with a young talented group, I think with a very good staff and I’m ready.”