The 27-year-old scored 84 goals for Spurs since joining from Leeds United in 2002, and this season has been one of the best for the Irish ace, who formed a lethal partnership with Dimitar Berbatov.

"I have felt really settled and happy at Spurs and that is probably one of the reasons I have played the best football of my career here," said Keane.

"It is an exciting time to be at the club and I am looking forward to even better seasons ahead."

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy believes that the club's policy intends to sign long-term contracts for key players.

"He is an individual who is loyal and professional and we are delighted he will be with us long term," Levy commented after the Keane deal.

"The key to retaining top players is to agree long-term contracts.

"We have now done so with several of our existing squad, extending the contracts of Aaron Lennon, Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone, as well as having contracted newer players on long contracts, such as Dimitar Berbatov and Didier Zokora."

The Berbatov-Keane pairing has made life difficult for Egyptian striker Ahmed Hossam 'Mido', who failed to establish himself in Martin Jol's starting eleven.

On contrary to Levy's view, Mido admitted recently that signing a four-year-deal with Spurs was a 'big mistake', after the 24-year-old struggled to fight for his place with Keane, Berbatov and Jermain Defoe.