Albion's talismanic striker Bobby Zamora has completed a £1.5m move to Tottenham.

The Seagulls' prized asset, who had three years remaining on his contract, passed a medical and discussed personal terms with Spurs last night after the clubs had agreed a fee.

England under-21 striker Zamora is said to be "very pleased" after setting his heart on a move to the Premiership.

His agent Phil Smith said: "The deal is done. It's been a long time coming for him. The fee is £1.5m which is a decent price in today's market for a Second Division striker.

"Perhaps Albion should have taken the £3m that was offered by Everton a while ago."

Albion chairman Dick Knight said: "As a Brighton fan I am sorry to see Bobby go but I believe he will be capable of being a success in the Premiership.

"I've never wanted to stand in his way."

Zamora had been the subject of a previous bid by Spurs this summer which was rejected.

But Glenn Hoddle's club improved their offer for a striker who has netted 83 goals in 136 games for the Seagulls.

The move ends months of speculation linking the striker with a switch into the Premiership.

Albion manager Steve Coppell said: "I've only spoken briefly to the chairman (Knight) about the situation. The fee is the chairman's call.

"I don't think it comes as a big surprise Bobby is going. Most people have been expecting it.

"He has been saying for quite a while he wants to play in the Premiership. Most of the fans were expecting him to go and were just hoping he'd stay.

"I'm disappointed as none of my options for a striker as are as good as having Bobby Zamora playing for Brighton.

"It blows a huge hole in any plans I had. It is a massive problem.

"He is someone capable of exceeding 20 goals a season for us and those sort of players are hard to find.

"But I will carry on trying.

"The fans, like me, will be disappointed he's gone. "But they were among those who were expecting it. It's the way of the world."

Coppell understands the need to sell Zamora.

He said: "The history of Brighton over the past five or six years has proved that survival is more important than one player.

"Today's market is tight financially and we're trying to make the best of our few resources.

"I had to agree with the chairman that the previous Tottenham offer was not a good deal for the club, not attractive. It was half down and half after 12 months.

"That's no good for a club like us when you've got to give 30 per cent away."

Coppell wished Zamora well.

He said: "He has been a loyal servant for Brighton, particularly with his goals. Every player has got to have the ambition to play in the Premiership.

"I've taken great delight in seeing players I've managed play in the Premiership such as when Ian Wright went from me when I was at Crystal Palace and broke Arsenal's all-time club goalscoring records."

Coppell believes the 30 per cent sell-on clause with Bristol Rovers, Zamora's previous club, was a stumbling block to any deal.

He said: "If there hadn't have been a sell-on clause he would have gone before now.

"He'd been a victim of circumstances, like Kevin Phillips at Sunderland."