(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-01 10:04

LONDON - Tottenham Hotspur completed the signing of Brazil defender Gilberto from Hertha Berlin just before the close of the transfer window on Thursday.

The deal had appeared to have fallen through earlier in the day when it was thought the 31-year-old Gilberto had failed a medical but Tottenham's Web site (www.tottenhamhotspur.com) later said it had been rescued. No transfer fee was disclosed.

"The club is delighted to announce the signing of Gilberto. In the interests of accuracy the club wishes to make it clear that, contrary to reports in this morning's papers, there were no issues arising from his medical.

"The delay was entirely due to the player needing to return to Germany as part of the work permit process in order to obtain his entry clearance visa."

Tottenham also announced that defenders Paul Stalteri and Anthony Gardner had been allowed to join Fulham and Everton respectively on loan until the end of the season.

Gilberto has spent three and a half years in Germany, where he made 101 appearances in the Bundesliga for Hertha after joining from Brazilian club Sao Caetano.

He has won 27 caps for Brazil, played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and was a member of the Brazil squads that won the 2004 and 2007 Copa America.

Gilberto is the third defender to join the Premier League club in the transfer window after Jonathan Woodgate from Middlesbrough and Alan Hutton from Rangers.