TOTTENHAM SIGN BRIGHTON DEFENDER JAN PAUL VAN HECKE FOR £52M

Tottenham have completed the signing of Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52 million. Van Hecke, who had one year remaining on his contract with Brighton, has agreed a long-term deal with Spurs. The transfer agreement includes a significant sell-on fee payable to Brighton should the defender be sold by Tottenham in future.

Van Hecke made 131 appearances for Brighton and started 36 of 38 Premier League matches last season under Fabian Hurzeler as the club finished eighth and secured European qualification. He joined Brighton from NAC Breda in 2020. Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange stated the club had tracked Van Hecke for several years. Van Hecke will reunite with head coach Roberto De Zerbi, under whom he played at Brighton, and will join fellow Netherlands internationals Micky van de Ven and Xavi Simons, though Simons is currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

De Zerbi described Van Hecke as a strong and intelligent centre-back who is brave in possession and plays with personality. Van Hecke stated it was a dream to join such a large club and expressed enthusiasm about working with De Zerbi again. He noted that van de Ven had spoken positively about Tottenham to him ahead of the move.