LEYTON Orient completed their first signing of the January transfer window after securing the services of Tottenham’s Charlie Daniels on a free transfer.

The 22-year-old left-sided player impressed during a season-long loan deal at Brisbane Road last season.

And manager Martin Ling has moved quickly to snap up the versatile midfielder on an 18-month contract, in time to help the club’s battle against relegation.

Harlow-born Daniels, who has enjoyed previous loan spells with Gillingham and Chesterfield, has not featured in Spurs’ boss Harry Redknapp’s plans since the former Portsmouth manager’s arrival in October.

However, he has regularly stood out for Tottenham’s reserve team, scoring three goals in four appearances this season.

Ling was told to cough up a six-figure sum for Daniels at the end of his Orient stint last summer, but the O’s boss wasted no time in moving for the player once it was confirmed he was available on a free.

“Charlie was a target of ours in the summer, but we felt Spurs’ valuation of him at that time was unrealistic so we moved on,” said Ling.

“But once he became available again on a free transfer over the Christmas period, we moved to sign him and I’m delighted to welcome him back to the club.

“His versatility down the left hand side will be very important to us and he will be a good addition to the squad in our fight for the rest of the season.

“The transfer window is now open and this is the first step in our shuffling of the squad.”

Daniels will take the club’s number 25 shirt and could feature in this weekend’s crunch clash against League One leaders Leicester City.

Meanwhile, the club are preparing for one of their sternest tests of the season so far when they travel to table-topping Leicester City on Saturday.

Ling is well aware his troops will have their work cut out against the Foxes, who are on a 12 game unbeaten run.

“Their form is good and our form is poor, but players can rise to the occasion,” said the O’s boss. “We’ll certainly go there with an attitude that we can win the game.

“We just have to raise our level from where we were in December.”