England striker Jermain Defoe will rejoin Tottenham Hotspur from Portsmouth after the Premier League clubs agreed a fee yesterday.

Defoe, who spent four years at White Hart Lane before moving to Portsmouth for 7.5 million pounds a year ago, had agreed personal terms for the move, which is subject to a medical, Tottenham said on its Website.

He will be presented to home fans before last night's League Cup semifinal, first leg against Burnley, Tottenham said.

No transfer fee was given by either club for the move but local media speculated that Spurs would be paying around 15 million pounds (US$21.86 million).

Defoe's move links him for the third time with Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who took him to Portsmouth last season having been his boss at West Ham United where the 26-year-old began his professional career.

Defoe, who scored 17 goals in 36 games for Portsmouth, has played 32 times for England, many of them substitute appearances, and scored six goals.

Defoe scored 64 goals in 177 games in five seasons for Spurs before transferring to Portsmouth a year ago.

Defoe moved to Portsmouth because he was not getting regular starts with the north London club. The striker started only three times last season under Spurs previous coaches Martin Jol and Juande Ramos.

Redknapp has lifted Spurs away from last place in the Premier League, and into the fourth round of the FA Cup, and the knockout phase of the UEFA Cup since he arrived at White Hart Lane two months ago.

However, Middlesbrough has turned down a transfer request from England midfielder Stewart Downing.

"We received a written transfer request from Stewart this morning. It was considered before being rejected," chief executive Keith Lamb said.

"Prior to receiving the request we received an improved offer for Stewart from Tottenham (Hotspur). We immediately rejected this offer and informed Tottenham that Stewart is not for sale."

Downing, who has 21 caps, joined Middlesbrough as a trainee in 2001 but has been at the centre of transfer speculation for several seasons.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson and manager Gareth Southgate said they would not be selling Downing or any other senior players as they face up to a possible relegation battle, having gone eight league games without a win.

"I have categorically told (Spurs chairman) Daniel Levy their interest is not welcome, nor will we entertain any further offers for Stewart," Gibson said.

"None of our senior players will be leaving the club this month."

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily January 7, 2009)