LONDON, England (AFP) - English Premier League newboys Cardiff on Wednesday signed Tottenham defender Steven Caulker for a club record fee believed to be in excess of eight million pounds (S$15.6 million), the BBC reported.

The 21-year-old is Cardiff manager Malky Mackay's fourth signing of the close-season, and his fee tops the previous club record of £7.5 million for Danish striker Andreas Cornelius from FC Copenhagen at the start of the month.

Other new faces at Cardiff are Derby County defender John Brayford and Brentford goalkeeper Simon Moore.

The once-capped Caulker, who signed a new four year deal with Tottenham in 2012, spent the 2011-12 season on loan to Swansea.

He was thrilled with what he described as "this fresh challenge," telling the BBC: "You get the sense of excitement from everybody at the club and I'm really looking forward to being part of it."