Tottenham close in on latest signing as Roberto De Zerbi set to land key man | OneFootball

Welshman worked under Spurs head coach at Brighton

Tottenham are set to bring in Andrew Crofts to Roberto De Zerbi’s backroom staff.

The Italian is looking to shape the club in his own image after saving Spurs from what would have proved a shock relegation from the Premier League.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion head coach has already been backed in his first transfer window at the helm, with the additions of midfielders Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali for a combined £185million from West Ham and Newcastle respectively.

They followed the likes of Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, who both arrived on free transfers, while another man who De Zerbi worked with on the south coast, Jan Paul van Hecke, was signed for £52million.

Now, as Standard Sport understands, the Dutchman - and most importantly, De Zerbi - will be reunited with Crofts in north London, with the Brighton assistant coach set to make the switch to the capital.

Crofts, 42, has been working under the Seagulls’ current manager Fabian Hurzeler at the Amex Stadium, while he juggles that job with a place on Craig Bellamy’s backroom staff with the Wales national team.

The Welshman worked under De Zerbi during the Italian’s time in Sussex, coaching various academy sides before being promoted by Hurzeler into the first-team fold.

A former midfielder, Crofts played for Albion and Norwich City, as well as winning 29 international capts for his country.

He is set to join the likes of Andreas Georgson and Bruno Saltor in the dugout at te Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the Swede and Spaniard De Zerbi’s two assistants.