Leandro Damiao has ended years of speculation linking him with Tottenham Hotspur by leaving Internacional to join their Brazilian rivals Santos.

The 24-year-old striker was believed to be a long-term Spurs target, most recently this summer, but the Premier League club did not follow up their interest with a concrete offer.

Now he has moved, but has stayed in South America to sign a five-year contract with Santos, who are rumoured to have paid around £11m in a deal which was announced on both club's websites on Monday.

Leandro, who was top scorer when representing Brazil at the London 2012 Olympics, told Lancenet: "I can't wait to start working alongside my new teammates to make the Santos fans happy."

The 6ft 1in forward has scored three goals in 16 international appearances since debuting in 2011.