Jose Mourinho has made countryman Gedson Fernandes his first signing at Tottenham Hotspur with the London club completing an 18-month loan deal for the Benfica midfielder.

Spurs have the option to sign the 21-year-old permanently at the end of the loan period.

Fernandes won the Portuguese title with Benfica last season and has played 53 times for the club, scoring two goals in the Champions League. He has also won two caps for the Portuguese national side.

“It’s a hard story. My family, they came to London because in Portugal, work is very hard and it’s very difficult to find work,” said Fernandes.

“They did not have a brilliant life but they have a good life here and this is one more motivation for me to be here today. They will help me to settle here.

“For me, it’s one big dream to come to this big club. This is a fantastic challenge that I have accepted and I have to win my challenge.

“All young players want to work with Jose Mourinho because he’s one of the best – all of us as players want to stay near the best, so it’s fantastic to work with him,” added Fernandes.

Fernandes had fallen out of favour at Benfica and last started a league game on 30 October.

His signing bolsters a Spurs midfield blighted by injuries to Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele and could mean want-away midfielder Christian Eriksen could finally be allowed to leave with Inter Milan reportedly his preferred destination following reports that the Dane had agreed personal terms with Antonio Conte’s side.