Spurs boost as Steven Caulker signs new deal

Tottenham defender Steven Caulker has signed a new four-year contract.

Caulker signed his first professional deal with Tottenham in 2008 and he has since enjoyed successful loan spells at Swansea, Yeovil and Bristol City.

The 20-year-old has also established himself as a regular in the England Under-21 set-up and was recently called up to the Team GB football squad for the Olympics.

Caulker recovered from a knee injury to impress during his time at Swansea last season, and previous Spurs boss Harry Redknapp had tipped the youngster for a bright future.

The Londoner has only made one appearance for Tottenham - two years ago in the Carling Cup defeat to Arsenal - but he is expected to challenge for a first-team place next season under new boss Andre Villas-Boas.

Villas-Boas is determined to lower the average age of the first-team squad at White Hart Lane and chairman Daniel Levy hinted earlier this week that the club would start to look to bring more youngsters into the senior set-up from the youth ranks.

Caulker, who was named in Britain's Olympic squad on Monday, today spoke of his pride at being named as part of Stuart Pearce's party for London 2012.

"When I was told I was in the initial squad of 35 I just hoped I would get the call," Caulker told Tottenham's website.

"The call came and now it's a case of getting ready for the Olympics.

"I'm delighted to be part of it and the fact it's here in Britain means it will be a huge event and something I'll no doubt look back on for many, many years."