Spurs Pull Off 'Genius' Transfer Tease Before Announcing Club Record Signing Of Richarlison

It's official. Spurs have announced the signing of Richarlison from Everton on a five-year deal, subject to a work permit.

After weeks of speculation surrounding his future at Goodison Park, the Brazilian forward will join Antonio Conte's side for a club-record fee believed to in the region of £60 million.

Richarlison is their fourth signing of the summer. He follows Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster to North London, while Middlesbrough full-back Djed Spence is also expected to make the move.

It has been a busy summer for Spurs and their social media, who pulled an incredible 'transfer tease' out the bag to stir the pot ahead of announcing Richarlison's highly-anticipated arrival.

At 8:50am on Friday morning, the club's official Twitter account posted a picture of a bird [some say pigeon] sitting on top of the iconic Golden Cockerel that sits on top of the 17,500 single-tier South Stand.

The bird is, of course, a nod to Richarlison's 'pigeon dance' celebration which involves the 25-year-old flapping his arms around while walking like a bird.

It was a cheeky tease that left of social media fans impressed. One fan said: "Have to admit, tried my best to not be arsed, but this one got me," while another commented: "Admin seriously deserves a raise."

A third wrote: "Some photographer has sat there for hours waiting for a pigeon to turn up. Pay rise needed," and another said: "Perhaps the greatest transfer tease of all time."

An Everton fan, meanwhile, was "broken" by the sight. He said: "I haven’t really felt anything regarding Richarlison leaving, but this picture has broken me."

The 4.5m cockerel, produced by London Mould Makers, is bigger and better than the replica. But it also has a huge nod to the original statue, courtesy of several bullet dents.

No, really. Bullet dents. In one of many classic stories involving Paul Gascoigne, 'Gazza' shot at the cockerel using an air rifle when he was playing for the club.

Club historian John Fennelly recalled the incident when speaking to the Spurs website back in 1988.

"The cockerel was falling apart. It was dented and in pretty poor condition," he said. "The story was the dents had been caused in the Blitz. But the truth was the damage was done by Gazza - with an air rifle.

"He tried to deny it but he'd been spotted."

Thoughts on the signing of Richarlison? Will his addition help Spurs challenge for a top three spot?

Let us know in the comments.