The race for Holtby's signature ended in January 2013 when the midfielder announced that he would be joining Tottenham on a free transfer the following summer.

As a youth he was rejected by Borussia Monchengladbach but found a place at Alemannia Aachen where he eventually made the first-team in the 2007-08 season. Having made the breakthrough, Holtby quickly impressed with his vision and quick feet and was snapped up by Schalke in 2009.

He signed a deal until the summer of 2013 and was sent out on loan to VfL Bochum and Mainz to get more playing experience and when he returned for the 2011-12 season he netted nine goals in 32 games.

Rising to captain the Germany Under-21 side, he also made his debut for the senior team and Holtby cemented his place in the Schalke side the following season, but could not agree a new contract. Announcing that he would leave on a free transfer in the summer, he chose to join Tottenham in the January transfer window for a fee of €1.5m.

Strengths: Good with the ball at his feet, he is aware of his surroundings, has good vision and an eye for goal.

Weaknesses: Still young, he is not the most physically imposing and can drift out of games occasionally.

Career high: His return to Schalke saw him claim national team honours.

Career low: As a youth player he was released from Borussia Monchengladbach for being too small and slow.

Style: Composed, clever, creative, a gem of a midfielder.

Quotes: "For me it was always a dream to play in the Premier League and it was always a team like Arsenal that I would like to play for. Now I play for Schalke and I am happy to be here." Lewis Holtby, November 2012.

Trivia: Holtby has an Everton-supporting British father and German mother.