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Tottenham complete £52m Van Hecke signing as De Zerbi focuses on defence

The Guardian UK Thursday 18 June 2026, 21:09 UTC By PA Media 1 min read
Key Points

Spurs bolster backline with third summer signing Defender reunited with former Brighton head coachTottenham have completed their third signing of the summer after Jan Paul van Hecke joined from Brighton. Spurs made a move for Dutch international centre-back Van Hecke after a terrible 2025-26 campaign where Roberto De Zerbi’s team secured Premier League survival with a final-day home victory over Everton. De Zerbi worked with Van Hecke during two seasons at Brighton and earmarked the defender...

  • Spurs bolster backline with third summer signing

  • Defender reunited with former Brighton head coach

Tottenham have completed their third signing of the summer after Jan Paul van Hecke joined from Brighton. Spurs made a move for Dutch international centre-back Van Hecke after a terrible 2025-26 campaign where Roberto De Zerbi’s team secured Premier League survival with a final-day home victory over Everton.

De Zerbi worked with Van Hecke during two seasons at Brighton and earmarked the defender as a key component of rebuilding Tottenham. After two bids earlier this month were rejected, a £52m offer was accepted and the 26-year-old has signed a long-term contract.

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Tottenham (ORG) Van Hecke (PERSON) De Zerbi (PERSON) Spurs (ORG) Brighton (LOCATION) Jan Paul van Hecke (PERSON) Dutch (ORG) back Van Hecke (LOCATION) Roberto De Zerbi (PERSON) Premier League (ORG) Everton (ORG)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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