Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has welcomed the signing of "top player" Eidur Gudjohnsen on loan until the end of the season and denied he pinched him from Premier League rivals West Ham. Iceland international Gudjohnsen had gone as far as completing a medical at Upton Park when Redknapp attempted to take him to White Hart Lane, but said he was prepared to pull out of the deal to prevent a fall-out with West Ham co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola, who played with the 31-year-old at Chelsea, has said he is "disappointed with Spurs and disappointed with Gudjohnsen", but Redknapp has insisted Tottenham played by the rules. He said: "It was his decision. I rang him. I left a message saying 'Eidur, if you are down the road with West Ham, Zola and Steve Clarke are friends of yours. Don't fall out with them.' I get on great with David Sullivan and I don't want any hassle with him either. "But he (Eidur) came back and said 'It's my choice. I want to come to Tottenham.'" Redknapp added: "He can play several positions. He had a great spell in midfield with Chelsea. He gives you options with your system. You don't play at Barcelona and in the Champions League unless you are a top player."