BBC

Tottenham striker Mason Melia is preparing for the club's pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia.

The 18-year-old, previously a Republic of Ireland youth international, will hope to impress under Roberto de Zerbi after joining Spurs in January amid strong competition from Premier League rivals, including Everton, Manchester City and Chelsea.

He signed from St Patrick's Athletic for an Irish record £1.6m fee, rising to £3.2m with add-ons, having played nearly 100 senior games before his 18th birthday, including matches in the Uefa Conference League.

However, Melia arrived with a niggling back problem that required treatment over the past six months.

He returned in early April and scored two goals, as well as providing an assist, in the final six under-21 matches of the Spurs academy season.

It remains unclear whether he can break into De Zerbi's plans or if a loan move will be considered later in the transfer window, which closes on 1 September.

Tottenham have signed Scotland forward Kirsty Hanson from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee.

Hanson was impressive in the Women's Super League last season, scoring 12 goals in 22 matches.

Only Manchester City's Khadija Shaw and Arsenal's Alessia Russo scored more than Hanson, who was named Villa's player of the year.

She also scooped up WSL Football's goal of the season award for her strike against West Ham, and it is a major blow for Villa to lose her this summer.

"I'm absolutely delighted. It’s an exciting time to be a part of this club," said Hanson.

"I'm ready for a new challenge and I always want to be better every single day. Martin Ho, the staff and the players are at such an exciting point - and I want to be a part of that."

The 28-year-old had a year remaining on her contract at Villa and it is unknown what fee Tottenham have agreed to sign her for.

She has scored six goals in 48 Scotland appearances and will reunite with Spurs manager Ho, whom she worked with at Manchester United while he was assistant coach.

"I know Kirsty well from working with her previously and I know the qualities she brings both as a player and as a person," said Ho.

"She has strong experience in the league, international experience with Scotland and a clear hunger to keep pushing her game forward.

"We are delighted she has chosen to come to Tottenham Hotspur and I'm excited to work with her again in an environment where we believe she can continue to develop, contribute and become an important player for the club."

Tottenham had a strong campaign in 2025-26, finishing fifth in the table in Ho's first season in charge, and they have already shown ambition in the transfer market.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £52m deal with Brighton for Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

Scotland defender Andy Robertson has already signed from Liverpool, with Argentinian centre-half Marcos Senesi agreeing a move from Bournemouth.

The arrivals of Van Hecke and Senesi will leave Roberto de Zerbi with a wealth of central defensive options.

But with no European football next term, how many of Tottenham's centre-halves will still be in north London at the start of the 2026-27 campaign?

Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin are already at the club, as well as 19-year-old defender Luka Vuskovic, who spent last season on loan at Hamburg but is reportedly wanted by Brighton as well as a host of top European sides.

Spurs fans are yet to see him in competitive action for the club, although could get a first-hand glimpse of the sought-after youngster's potential when England face Croatia on Wednesday.

Romero, meanwhile, who like Senesi is representing Argentina at the World Cup this summer, has spent five seasons at Spurs and captained the club to a first trophy in 17 years when they beat Manchester United to win the Europa League in 2025.

But he has long been touted with a move away, and the 28-year-old's availability - either through suspension or injury he only played 23 Premier League games last season and 18 the campaign before - is a source of frustration among supporters.

Dragusin has also been linked with an exit - the Romanian reportedly turned down Bayern Munich to join Spurs in January 2024 but an ACL injury has disrupted his time at the club and the new additions will push the 24-year-old further down the pecking order.

Should Romero and Dragusin depart, that would leave De Zerbi with Senesi, Van Hecke, Van de Ven and Danso, as well as with a decision to make over whether Vuskovic remains, goes on loan or is sold permanently.

It's worth noting Van de Ven started at left-back in the same Netherlands back four as Van Hecke on Sunday against Japan, but Spurs are also not short on bodies in that position with Robertson soon to arrive.

Or, with all these new arrivals, might De Zerbi opt for a back five?

Brighton have no immediate plans to make a fresh offer for Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic.

The revelation Brighton have agreed a £52m deal with Tottenham for Jan Paul van Hecke to move to north London sparked suggestions of a renewed attempt to sign Vuskovic, the 19-year-old who will be part of Croatia's squad to face England on Wednesday.

Vuskovic is viewed as one of the most highly rated young players in Europe and Brighton have already had a £30m offer rejected for him.

After spending last season on loan in Germany with Hamburg, Vuskovic will face more competition for the central defensive positions with the arrival of Van Hecke, although there has been speculation over the future of skipper Cristian Romero.

Brighton are keeping across the situation but they will not be making another bid at the moment.

Evidently, they do need a replacement for Van Hecke, who started 36 out of their 38 Premier League games last season.

However, they do have time.

With a year left on his contract, Brighton feel they have negotiated an excellent deal around Van Hecke, particularly as his move to Tottenham includes what is regarded as a significant sell-on clause, should the 26-year-old Netherlands World Cup star leave the club at some point.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £52m deal with Brighton for Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

The 26-year-old started in his country's 2-2 draw with Japan on Sunday at the World Cup.

Van Hecke has a year left on his current Brighton contract and showed no inclination to extend the deal.

Brighton had already turned down one offer for a player who joined them from NAC Breda in 2020.

However, they have now accepted Tottenham's offer, which should clear the way to Van Hecke rejoining former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi in north London.

The deal also includes a significant sell-on clause with Brighton profiting further should Spurs sell the player.

Van Hecke made 131 appearances for the Seagulls and started 36 out of 38 Premier League games for Fabian Hurzeler's side last season as they secured an eighth-place finish. That secured European qualification for only the second time in the club's history.

Tottenham have already strengthened De Zerbi's squad in an effort to improve markedly on successive 17th-placed finishes.

Scotland defender Andy Robertson has already signed from Liverpool, with Argentinian centre-half Marcos Senesi agreeing a move from Bournemouth.

Pedro Porro has signed a new long-term contract with Tottenham, having made 152 appearances since arriving in January 2023 from Sporting CP.

The 26-year-old had two years remaining on the contract he signed when he joined Spurs and, while not disclosed, it is understood this new one will to run until 2031.

Head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, said: "Pedro is a very important player for us, who has consistently shown his ability to influence matches in both defensive and attacking situations.

"As well as his technical quality, I also love his mentality. Every day he wants to work, to learn and to improve, and these are the characteristics that help players reach the highest level.

"He understands football in a very intelligent way, and brings energy, intensity and personality to the team.

"This new contract is good news for everyone at the Club. We believe in Pedro, and I am excited to continue working with him and helping him achieve even more in the coming years."

Sporting Director, Johan Lange, added: "Securing Pedro's future was an important priority for us this summer.

"During the past three-and-half years, he has made huge progress to become one of the best full-backs in the game, and the fact he is about to play in the World Cup for Spain is testament to that."

Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro has signed a new, long-term contract with the club. The length of the deal has not been disclosed by Spurs, but the contract is understood to run until 2031.

Porro, 26, had two years remaining on the contract he signed when he joined Spurs on a permanent transfer from Sporting CP in the summer of 2023.

Spurs had initially signed Porro on loan in January 2023 with an obligation to make the move permanent that summer for £40 million.

The Spaniard has made 152 appearances for Spurs including 47 in all competitions last season, the most of anyone in Roberto De Zerbi's squad.

"During the past three-and-half years, he has made huge progress to become one of the best full-backs in the game, and the fact he is about to play in the World Cup for Spain is testament to that," said Spurs sporting director Johan Lange.

"His character, work ethic and quality are exactly what we look for when building a squad capable of competing at the highest level and we are delighted that he has chosen to continue his journey with the club."

Spurs boss De Zerbi added: "As well as his technical quality, I also love his mentality. Every day he wants to work, to learn and to improve, and these are the characteristics that help players reach the highest level.

"He understands football in a very intelligent way, and brings energy, intensity and personality to the team."

Wales and Tottenham Hotspur legend Cliff Jones has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Jones, 91, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Welsh football.

The winger scored 16 goals in 59 internationals and was part of the Wales team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup in Sweden before they were knocked out by Pele's Brazil.

Jones was a member of the Tottenham side that won the Football League and FA Cup double in 1961.

He then played his part as Spurs beat Atletico Madrid 5-1 in the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup two years later to become the first British team to win a European trophy.

Jones also helped Tottenham win the FA Cup in 1962 and 1967.

Jones wrote on social media: “Proud and humbled to receive this MBE.

“It was an honour to me to represent my beloved Wales and pull on the red dragon shirt.

“I share this with all my teammates and my wonderful wife Joan and family.”

Jones' father Ivor and uncle Bryn both played for Wales, with his uncle's transfer from Wolves to Arsenal for £14,500 in 1938 a world record at the time.

Jones played 580 club games in an 18-year career between 1952 and 1970.

After starting with his home club Swansea, where he scored 54 goals in 193 appearances in all competitions, Jones transferred to Tottenham for £35,000 in 1958.

Jones scored 159 goals in 378 games in all competitions for Spurs and is considered one of their greatest players.

He left White Hart Lane for Fulham in 1968.

Jones was inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame in 2013 and later that year was the recipient of a lifetime achievement trophy at the Sport Wales awards.

Wales captain and Tottenham defender Ben Davies paid tribute to Jones.

"It is fantastic Cliff Jones is being recognised for his incredible contribution to both club and international football,“ said Davies.

“He is recognised as one of the true greats of the game at both Swansea and Tottenham and of course with Wales.

"I was lucky enough to meet him when I first arrived at Spurs, where I forged a close bond with him and his wife, who often had me round to the house, and I'd hear amazing stories about his life and football career.

"To have him present me with my 100th cap was an absolute honour.”

Meanwhile, former Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Roger Lewis, who held the role between 2006 and 2015, has been made an MBE for voluntary services to service personnel and veterans in his role as chair of the Churchill Lines Foundation.

Tom Hooper, who is from Newport and is the Bristol Metropolitan head of sport, has been appointed an MBE for services to education.

Cardiff City director Steve Borley is made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Welsh economy across engineering, construction and sports participation.

Tottenham have signed defender Marcos Senesi on a free transfer following his departure from Bournemouth.

The 29-year-old will officially complete his move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 1 July, subject to international clearance.

Senesi, capped three times by Argentina, decided to leave Bournemouth earlier in the season after rejecting three contract offers from the club.

The centre-back - who was not included in Argentina's squad for this summer's World Cup - said it was a "very special feeling" to join the 2025 Europa League winners.

"From the first moment, the club has shown why they want me and how much they want me to be a part of what they are building. It's exciting and something I can't wait to be involved in," added Senesi, who spent four years at Bournemouth.

"Every time I step on the pitch, I will do my best to make the fans proud and to take the club back to the place it belongs. I want to win things with Tottenham and will do everything I can to make that happen."

The former San Lorenzo and Feyenoord defender is Tottenham's second summer signing after Andy Robertson also joined on a free transfer from Liverpool.

Wales defender Ben Davies, 33, has also agreed a new one-year contract to stay at the club.

Manager Roberto de Zerbi said Senesi, who will wear the number five shirt, will "strengthen" his side defensively after back-to-back 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League.

"He's comfortable playing in a possession-based team, reads the game very well and has the personality to thrive in a demanding environment," added the Italian.

"I also love his mentality and desire to keep improving and I'm looking forward to working with him and seeing the big contribution he can make to the team."

Tottenham have also announced out-of-contract midfielder Yves Bissouma, 29, will leave this summer.

Marcos Senesi says it is a "special feeling" to join Tottenham, after the club announced he will be signing on a free transfer on 1 July.

The Argentina defender will move to north London after four years with Bournemouth following the expiry of his current deal with the Cherries.

Speaking to the club media, Senesi said: "It's a very special feeling to be a Tottenham Hotspur player.

"From the first moment, the club has shown why they want me and how much they want me to be a part of what they are building. It's exciting and something I can't wait to be involved in.

"Every time I step on the pitch, I will do my best to make the fans proud and to take the club back to the place it belongs. I want to win things with Tottenham and will do everything I can to make that happen."

The 29-year-old made 128 appearances for Bournemouth, scoring six goals and providing 10 assists, and helped the south coast side secure European football for the first time in his final campaign with them.

Spurs head coach Roberto de Zerbi, added: "Marcos' experience, quality on the ball, and competitive edge will strengthen us defensively, as well as giving us flexibility in formation.

"He's comfortable playing in a possession-based team, reads the game very well and has the personality to thrive in a demanding environment.

"I also love his mentality and desire to keep improving and I'm looking forward to working with him and seeing the big contribution he can make to the team."

What do you make of the new signing? Is Senesi the type of player to improve Spurs? And is this a sign of smart business and recovery following last season's difficulties?