Pompey's critical financial statement forced them to sell their star man, who re-joined Harry Redknapp in a deal worth around £10million.

"His sale was necessitated by the club's commitment to repay scheduled debts while we are in a transitional period of completing the takeover," a Portsmouth spokesman told the club's official site.

Crouch follows in the footsteps of his England mate Glen Johnson, who joined Liverpool last month.

The arrival of the 28-year-old striker is likely to see Spurs outcast Darren Bent move away from White Hart Lane, probably to Sunderland.