LONDON -- Harry Kane is a "special" type of modern footballer who plays for love over money, according to Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Kane's new six-year deal until 2022, announced on Thursday, makes him Tottenham's best-paid player but he could still earn far more at another club, and he still earns less than England teammates Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney.
Reports last month said Kane was demanding more than the club was willing to offer but, for Pochettino Kane is different from other players, and not motivated by money.
"If you ask him, he is sure that it is not about money. He loves Tottenham and he wants to stay here in this project and that is fantastic. But it is not about money, I'm sure," Pochettino said.
"For that, Harry is very special. He is special on the pitch and special off it. The club recognised his value and I congratulate Daniel [Levy], the chairman, too because it was very important for us to make it happen and he has done a very good job with Harry."
On Thursday, Ledley King told ESPN FC that Kane could follow him in spending his entire career at Spurs, joining a rare group of one-club players including Chelsea's John Terry.
Pochettino agrees with King and compared Kane's love for Spurs to his own for Espanyol, where he spent over a decade as a player and manager.
"One day he could be this like type of player for us," Pochettino added. "He has shown in the two-and-a-half years since I have been here his commitment every season.
"He is English and one of the best strikers in the world, and be sure that teams not only in England but in Europe have seen him and been following him and thinking there would be a possibility one day to take Harry.
"But Harry is very happy here and one more time has shown his commitment to the club and that is fantastic. Always he was convinced to stay here. I never felt otherwise.
"[It's like] myself at Espanyol -- I had plenty of offers to move from different clubs -- it's true -- but [I was] more than ten years at Espanyol."
Terry tended to score decisive goals, and his connection to his club appeared to give him an edge, an extra one or percent, that is difficult to define.
Kane, too, has made a habit of scoring in important games and he has 18 goals in 23 London derbies, including five apiece against Arsenal and West Ham -- probably Spurs' two biggest rivals.
"I always believe in universal energy. World energy. It's connected. Nothing happens coincidentally, always it's a consequence [of something]," Pochettino explained. "Maybe it is one of the reasons he always scores in the derby. I believe in that energy. For me, it exists.
"For me he is one of the best strikers, because of his mentality and motivation."
In a separate briefing, Pochettino said that another player would sign a new contract soon (it is almost certainly Jan Vertonghen) but he said it was unlikely to be captain Hugo Lloris.
He believes Lloris, like Kane, is in love with Tottenham, however, even though the goalkeeper comes from the south of France.
"Lloris is in the same level as Harry. Hugo is very happy here. He is French but -- like me, an Argentinian at Espanyol -- he cares a lot about Tottenham. You can feel they love Tottenham and want to stay here. For me that is very important that they show the commitment and believe in us. It's great," Pochettino said.
"Why do you love your wife and why do you love your dog or pet? There's a special connection. It's difficult to explain why. It's like when [Victor] Wanyama arrived and fit in well. Everyone loves him and he loves them. You can't say the love is bigger or smaller because it is only a few months here. It is about feeling good or bad."