Tottenham get ratification from the Premier League to complete the signing of Rafael Van der Vaart

Tottenham today confirmed the signing of attacking midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart after a frantic few hours in which they just about managed to complete the relevant paperwork.

The Dutch international only became available at the eleventh hour yesterday for a cut-price £8m fee as the 18:00 transfer deadline loomed.

Real Madrid had no place for him in their 25-man squad and Spurs pounced, but were faced with an anxious wait before they could confirm they had completed the deal in time.

The 27-year-old featured in five of the Netherlands' seven games in South Africa in the summer, including a extra time appearance in the World Cup final.

Van der Vaart played 58 times for the Spanish giants, netting 11 goals and has also played for Ajax and Hamburg.

In total he has represented his country 83 times and has scored 16 goals.

Spurs also secured the loan signing of Spartak Moscow keeper Stipe Pletikosa, while Brazilian Sandro also linked up with the club following his participation in the Copa Liberatores.

Meanwhile, it was also a very busy day in other areas of the country with Stoke, Birmingham and Sunderland having a particularly active deadline day.

Sunderland broke their transfer record for the second summer in succession with the signing of Ghana international striker Asamoah Gyan from Rennes for around £13m.

The 24-year-old impressed in the World Cup in the summer, netting three times, and will look to form a partnership with Darren Bent.

Stoke brought in three new faces yesterday, while also letting two players leave.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham striker Eidur Gudjohnsen signed a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee while Jermaine Pennant and Marc Wilson also arrived.

Gudjohnsen has 146 Fantasy League points to his name in 237 games over 7 seasons for Spurs and Chelsea and arrives from Monaco, after spending last season on loan at White Hart Lane.

Pennant, who spent last season at Real Zaragoza in Spain, has over 120 Premier League appearances to his name and arrives on loan until January.

He notched up 84 Fantasy League points over seven seasons at Arsenal, Leeds, Birmingham, Liverpool and Portsmouth.

Full-back Wilson signed in a player-plus-cash deal from Portsmouth with Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson heading to Fratton Park as part of the agreement.

Birmingham also brought in three players with former Arsenal man Alexander Hleb as well as Czech international Martin Jiranek and Chilean World Cup star Jean Beausejour.

Midfielder Hleb joins on a season-loan from Barcelona having scored 73 Fantasy League points in 45 games during his three years at Arsenal.

Towering centre-back Jiranek will bolster the City back-line and has signed a one-year deal, joining from Russian side Spartak Moscow.

Winger Beausejour impressed in an exciting Chile side over the summer and netted the only goal in the 1-0 win over Honduras.

Elsewhere, Liverpool completed the signing of Fulham full-back Paul Konchesky, who moved to Anfield to link up with former boss Roy Hodgson.

Former Wigan utility player Paul Scharner has joined West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer having been released by the Latics at the end of last season.

The Austrian has scored 45 FL points in his 131 games over five seasons and has played in midfield, at centre-back and at full-back over the years.

Chelsea youngster Franco Di Santo has signed a permanent deal at Wigan having spent last season on loan at Blackburn where he scored just 5 FL points in 14 games.

Wigan have also signed promising youngster Tom Cleverley on loan from Manchester United.

For full details on all the other transfers during the window, click here.