Tottenham have announced the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke for £52 million.
The Netherlands international had one year remaining on his Seagulls contract and previously worked under current Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi at the club between 2023 and 2024.
Brighton are set to make a significant profit on the 26-year-old, having signed him from NAC Breda for a paltry £1.8m in 2020.
Van Hecke becomes Tottenham’s third signing of the De Zerbi era following the arrivals of Marco Sensi and Andy Robertson on free transfers.
Van Ecke honoured to join Spurs
After putting pen to paper, Van Ecke told the club’s website: “I’m really looking forward to playing for Spurs because it’s such a big club and it’s a big honour that I can join them.
“I got a very good feeling from the directors and of course also from the manager, who I knew from Brighton and had a good time with him, so my connection with the manager is really strong.
“Also from [sporting director] Johan [Lange] and the owners, I got a really good feeling.
“Micky [van de Ven] also told me some really good things about the club and was happy when he heard I was going to join.
“He was honest with me and said it’s such a big club, the fans are really nice and there are really good people in the club.
“So now I have a really good impression of how the club is, and I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone.”
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Dutchman promises to ‘always give everything’
Asked what he brings to the table, Van Ecke said: “I think I’m a player who will always give everything and leave my heart out on the pitch.
“I try to win every game, I try to win every tackle, every duel. And I think on the ball, it’s also my strength that I can play nice passes between the lines, play forward and play behind the lines.
“I can be a defender who is good on the ball, but also who does really like defending, being aggressive and playing on the front foot.
“I’m excited to join the club and I’m already looking forward to playing my first game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“I’ve played there as a guy from the other team, but now I’m going to play there with the Tottenham Hotspur fans.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone.”
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De Zerbi backed by Tottenham hierarchy
Analysing the transfer, Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge stated: “This is total commitment in De Zerbi and you could also say a reward for keeping Spurs up.
“He has been given full control and has the final say on transfers.
“With Van Hecke, they are getting a defender who is comfortable on the ball, much like Marcos Senesi, and excels at taking opposition players out of the game.
“Yes, it’s a big price. To put it simply, it’s the player De Zerbi asked for.
“A lot of people will be wondering about Cristian Romero. On his day, he is one of the best defenders in the world.
“But that’s on his day. He is playing about 50 per cent of the time because of injuries and suspensions.
“If a big offer comes in for Romero, they will consider it. The key is whether they get a big offer.”
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Simon Wilkes