Tottenham Hotspurs sign Jan Paul van Hecke for €60m

Tottenham Hotspurs have completed the signing of Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for a reported fee of around €60 million, according to transfer expert David Ornstein of The Athletic and insider Ben Jacobs. The move follows weeks of speculation and rejected lower bids. Brighton had recently rejected Spurs’ lower bids. The club ultimately accepted the €60 million offer that met Tottenham’s valuation. Tottenham coach De Zerbi already worked with Van Hecke during his tenure at Brighton, known as the Seagulls. De Zerbi was determined to bring the Dutch defender to London. According to the experts, the deal had always been "only a matter of time". Both Ornstein and Jacobs highlighted the long‑standing connection between the player and the coach. Van Hecke is a regular starter for the Netherlands at the World Cup. He featured prominently throughout the tournament. In the opening group match against Japan, the 26‑year‑old played the full 90 minutes. His performance contributed to the Dutch side's campaign. The article was translated into English by artificial intelligence, with the original version available in German.