Tottenham Hotspur have signed Benfica's Portugal defender Ricardo Rocha, the Portuguese club said on its website (www.slbenfica.pt) on Tuesday.

The fee was undisclosed but local media said Benfica will receive up to five million euros ($6.51 million) for the versatile central defender who has six caps for Portugal.

"Ricardo is an accomplished defender who gives us further options in defence as he can play both in the centre and on the right," Spurs sporting director Damien Comolli told the club's website.

Rocha, 28, reported to have signed a three-and-a-half year contract, joined Benfica from SC Braga in 2002, winning the Portuguese Cup in 2004 and the title in 2005 when he formed a formidable centre-back partnership with Luisao.

Rocha has featured in Portugal's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and also played a key role in Benfica's run to the Champions League quarter-finals last season.