Benfica's Portuguese midfielder Gedson Fernandes (C) jogs with teammates during a training session at the Athens' Olympic Stadium on Oct 1, 2018 on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match against AEK Athens. (ARIS MESSINIS / AFP)

LONDON - Premier League side Tottenham have signed Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes on an 18-month loan deal with an option to make the move permanent for a fee of 50 million euros (US$55.7 million).

Benfica had reached an agreement with both Tottenham and their London rivals West Ham, but Fernandes preferred to join Tottenham, who are currently having his fellow countryman Jose Mourinho as team's headcoach. 

I am very happy to be here today. I make my dream a reality

Gedson Fernandes, Midfielder, Tottenham

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"I am very happy to be here today. I make my dream a reality," said the 21-year-old in an interview on the Tottenham website.

"I will try to give my best for the Club every day, in every training session and in every game and I will try to help the team wherever I can, working hard every day for this shirt.

"I know the squad because I've watched some games, I have some references like Moussa Sissoko, I know a little bit about Eric Dier because he played in Portugal and I know the coach (Jose Mourinho) because he's a big coach," added the player, who will wear the number 30 shirt at his new club.

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Fernandes' arrival will give Tottenham more options in midfield after it was confirmed that Sissoko will be out of action for around three months with knee ligament damage, and the player, who has two international caps, will be hoping to kick-start after just two starts and five substitute appearances for Benfica in the first half of the campaign.