Jan Paul van Hecke: Tottenham secure third signing of summer as £52m deal confirmed

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Evening Standard

·18 de junio de 2026

Jan Paul van Hecke: Tottenham secure third signing of summer as £52m deal confirmed

Roberto De Zerbi has landed another priority signing this summer

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Hove Albion.

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Spurs had agreed a fee worth around £52million for the Dutch defender, who has secured a starting berth at the back for his country at this summer’s World Cup.

The centre-back has signed a long-term deal in north London, and he reunites with manager Roberto De Zerbi, who he played under at Brighton.

"It's a huge honour to become a Spurs player and when you join such a big club, it's a dream come true,” Van Hecke told the Spurs club media.

"I already have a really strong connection with the head coach, who I'm looking forward to working with again. Micky [van de Ven] has also told me some great things about the club, so I can't wait to get started.

"I've been at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as an opposition player and now I'm looking forward to walking out there in front of our fans wearing the Spurs shirt. That will be a special moment."

Spurs’ sporting director Johan Lange hailed Van Hecke as “an outstanding defender”, citing that the club had been monitoring him for “a number of years”.

"As well as his technical qualities and strong defensive instincts, he also has the maturity, character and professionalism that we look for when recruiting players,” Lange explained.

"As we continue to build our squad, it is important to bring in players who can contribute immediately while also being part of our long-term vision.

"Jan Paul fits that profile perfectly, and we are excited about what he will bring to the team."

Van Hecke’s familiarity with De Zerbi’s style of play from their time together on the Sussex coast will prove a huge boost when settling in to his new surroundings.

"Jan Paul is someone I know very well from our time together at Brighton, and I'm delighted to be working with him again,” De Zerbi said.

"He is a strong, intelligent centre-back who is brave in possession and plays with personality. Those are important qualities for the way I want our team to set-up.

"Off the pitch he is mature, a leader and has a hunger to learn and improve every day.

"Jan Paul has made great progress over the past few years and I believe he can develop even further here at Tottenham Hotspur."

Van Hecke arrived at Brighton aged 20, and established himself as a first-team regular under both De Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler at the Amex Stadium.

Last season, he made 40 appearances in all competitions, scoring three and assisting three.

He follows fellow defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson through the entrance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the pair moving to north London on free transfers from Bournemouth and Liverpool respectively.