Why it matters
Tottenham needed to stop leaking goals. The team let in 122 in just two Premier League seasons — the worst defensive record in the top flight over that span.
- Van Hecke started 36 of 38 league matches for Brighton last season as they finished eighth.
- He joins left‑back Andy Robertson and centre‑back Marcos Senesi, both free transfers, as the third defensive reinforcement.
The big picture
De Zerbi took over with seven matches left and won three to keep Spurs up, but warned that the squad needed deep changes. The club’s majority owners backed him financially after two years of near‑disaster.
The £52 million fee — plus a significant sell‑on clause for Brighton — signals that Tottenham is investing heavily in a specific profile: defenders De Zerbi already trusts. Van Hecke played under him for two seasons at the Amex.
What they’re saying
“It’s a huge honour to become a Spurs player and when you join such a big club, it’s a dream come true. I already have a really strong connection with the head coach.” – Jan Paul van Hecke
“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.” – Roberto De Zerbi
What’s next
Tottenham’s early summer focus is clear: fix the defence. With three new signings already in, the club may now turn to other positions. Van de Ven, Van Hecke’s international teammate, and Xavi Simons (recovering from ACL injury) are already at the club, giving De Zerbi a Dutch core to build around.
Infobae
La Fórmula 1 volverá a África con un Gran Premio en RuandaEl acuerdo tendrá una duración de diez años; la fecha de la primera prueba aún no se ha precisado.
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