Tottenham set to sign third defender after free transfers of Robertson and Senesi

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleTottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire)Tottenham Hotspur has reached an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign Dutch centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke in a deal reportedly worth £52 million, marking their third defensive signing. The transfer of the 25-year-old comes after Tottenham's challenging 2025-26 campaign, which saw them narrowly avoid Premier League relegation, underscoring the club's urgent need to strengthen its defence after conceding 122 goals over the past two seasons. Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi played a key role in securing Van Hecke, having previously worked with the defender at Brighton where he flourished under De Zerbi's management, becoming a standout player in his position. Van Hecke, who was nearing the end of his contract next summer, will join fellow Netherlands international Micky van de Ven at Tottenham, following the earlier acquisitions of left-back Andy Robertson and centre-back Marcos Senesi in the transfer window.Brighton, after initially rejecting two bids for Van Hecke, is now anticipated to intensify its efforts to sign Tottenham's Luka Vuskovic as a potential replacement, despite having two of their own bids for Vuskovic rejected this month. In fullTottenham agree £52 million deal for Brighton defender Jan Paul van HeckeThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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