Tottenham have reinforced their defensive unit further with the signing of Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke.
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Spurs had agreed a fee worth around £52million for the Dutch defender earlier this week, after seeing two bids rejected by Brighton. Roberto De Zerbi has been pushing internally at the club for the signing of the central defender, who played under the Italian tactician at Brighton.
On Thursday evening, Tottenham secured the third signing of their busy summer transfer window in the form of Jan Paul van Hecke.
Jan Paul van Hecke is a Tottenham player!
“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 said in his first official interview with the club.
“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 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.”
“Jan Paul is someone I know very well from our time together at Brighton, and I’m delighted to be working with him again,” Roberto 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 reunites with De Zerbi
Van Hecke has become the club’s third summer signing after Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson arrived on free transfers from Bournemouth and Liverpool, respectively. He will reunite with De Zerbi, who helped the defender establish himself as a regular at Brighton after loan spells away from the Amex Stadium.
The 26-year-old is part of the Netherlands squad for the World Cup, having impressed in his nation’s tournament opener against Japan. He should link up with his Tottenham teammates later during their pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand.