Bournemouth defender Senesi to join Tottenham on free transfer | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi will become Tottenham’s second signing under Roberto De Zerbi, joining on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract on the 1st of July.

The 29-year-old joined the Cherries from Feynoord for £6.1m in July 2022 and went on to make 128 appearances for the club, capping off his fourth season on the south coast by securing European football for the first time in their history under Andoni Iraola.

Senesi missed just one of the 38 league games this season, starting in every one for which he was available and registering five assists, and was a crucial asset to Bournemouth’s most successful campaign since promotion to the top flight in 2015.

The Argentinian said: “It’s a very special feeling to be a Tottenham Hotspur player.

“From the first moment, the Club has shown why they want me and how much they want me to be a part of what they are building. It’s exciting and something I can’t wait to be involved in.

“Every time I step on the pitch, I will do my best to make the fans proud and to take the Club back to the place it belongs. I want to win things with Tottenham and will do everything I can to make that happen.”

Senesi’s switch to north London comes just five days after the club unveiled former Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson as the first signing of the De Zerbi era, also arriving on a free.

His new head coach De Zerbi said: “Marcos’ experience, quality on the ball, and competitive edge will strengthen us defensively, as well as giving us flexibility in formation.

“He’s comfortable playing in a possession-based team, reads the game very well and has the personality to thrive in a demanding environment.

“I also love his mentality and desire to keep improving and I’m looking forward to working with him and seeing the big contribution he can make to the team.”

Senesi is a strong, powerful centre-back that is also comfortable playing with the ball at his feet, both attributes that suit De Zerbi’s progressive style of football.

It is also a needed move in order to sure up Spurs’ backline, which conceded 57 goals during the 2025/26 Premier League season that saw them finish 17th for the second year running.

Spurs would survive by the skin of their teeth courtesy of a narrow 1-0 home win against Everton, where they won just three times all season and dropped numerous points throughout.

Yet with the arrival of Senesi, who appears likely to be first in line to pair Dutchman Micky Van de Ven at the back, the club will look to put this year’s defensive dilemma behind them.