Tottenham confirmed on Thursday that their Romania defender Vlad Chiriches has joined Italian club Napoli.

Chiriches moved to White Hart Lane from Steaua Bucharest in 2013, but he failed to hold down a first-team place and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has allowed him to make the switch to Serie A for a reported £4.5 million fee ($7 million).

"We have reached agreement with Napoli for the transfer of Vlad Chiriches. We wish Vlad every success for the future," a statement on Tottenham's website announced.

Chiriches made just 43 appearances in his two seasons with the Premier League club and Pochettino's decision to sign Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid earlier in the pre-season meant he had fallen further down the pecking order.

The 25-year-old, who has 32 caps for Romania, signed off in ignominious fashion in his final match with Tottenham after being sent off in a 3-0 defeat at Stoke on May 9.