BBC

Cliff Jones: Wales and Tottenham Hotspur legend made MBE

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Cliff Jones: Wales and Tottenham Hotspur legend made MBE - BBC
Description

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.

Source

Marcos Senesi: Tottenham confirm signing of defender after Bournemouth exit

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Marcos Senesi: Tottenham confirm signing of defender after Bournemouth exit - BBC
Description

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.

Source

Tottenham news: Marcos Senesi joins Spurs - have your say

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
'Special feeling to be a Spurs player' - Senesi joins Tottenham - BBC
Description

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?

Source

Tottenham: Bissouma departs as Davies signs new deal

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham: Bissouma departs as Davies signs new deal - BBC
Description

Tottenham have confirmed Yves Bissouma will leave the club when his contract expires this summer.

The 29-year-old joined Spurs in 2022, making 111 appearances after his high-profile move from Brighton.

Spurs have also confirmed a group of under-21 players who will leave the club, including Pele Arganese-McDermott, Tyrell Ashcroft, Leo Black, Dante Cassanova, Matthew Craig and Calum Logan.

Long-serving defender Ben Davies has committed a further year to the club in agreeing a new deal.

"It's been a huge part of my football journey," Davies said.

"I am just grateful for what the club has given me so far in my career.

"When you have the new manager come in, that first session and game you want to impress. I didn't have that opportunity this year. My first conversation was that I wasn't going to be around to help him on the pitch (due to inuury). I was around pretty much every meeting and game, trying to help the guys.

"Seeing the way he's come in and lifted this group in a really tough spot, he lifted us, the fans, the club, having his presence and confidence, we can feel a lot of relief. The job he has done is amazing but I am excited to see what he brings in the future for this club.

"He's incredibly passionate. It's honestly a pleasure to watch. There are new ideas every day. On an emotional level he's incredibly smart - he knows when the players need a pick me up or a dressing down."

Source

Ben Davies: Tottenham defender signs new one-year contract

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Ben Davies: Tottenham defender signs new one-year contract - BBC
Description

Experienced Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies has signed a new one-year contract until the end of next season.

Davies' current deal was due to expire at the end of the month and he was set to leave the club.

The 33-year-old Wales international, who joined Spurs from Swansea in July 2014, will take his stay at the north London club into a 13th year.

Davies has been a key player for the club over the years and Tottenham's hierarchy view his experience and leadership qualities as key during Roberto de Zerbi's first full season in charge.

He had surgery on a broken ankle in January and was restricted to just three Premier League appearances last season as Spurs narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship.

Source

Tottenham news: Players at 2026 World Cup

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham news: Players at 2026 World Cup - BBC
Description

The countdown to the World Cup is well and truly on, so here's a reminder of the Spurs players selected to represent their countries from 11 June to 19 July.

The expanded 48-team competition is set to be the biggest in history, with the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting.

Tottenham's World Cup contingent:

Source

Tottenham transfer rumours: Savinho

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham transfer rumours: Savinho - BBC
Description

Why super-sized and politicised World Cup comes at a cost

Who am I? Guess World Cup star No 2

Why super-sized and politicised World Cup comes at a cost

'You're paid to make that decision' – Eriksson's midfield dilemma. Video'You're paid to make that decision' – Eriksson's midfield dilemma

Why Olise can be one of France's very best - Clichy

McGinn in the form of his life and now dancing to Scotland's tune

From dazzling winger to veteran who barely runs - the evolution of Messi

Antonelli-Russell contrast could hardly be more stark

'I had the best and worst moments of my life on this court' - Zverev triumphs at last

Hodgkinson beaten by Werro despite personal best in Diamond League VideoHodgkinson beaten by Werro despite personal best in Diamond League

'I don't have anything to prove' - why is 44-year-old Williams back?

Born in Leeds, crafted in Norway: How Haaland became nation's superstar

Source

Tottenham news: Which ex-De Zerbi players should Spurs target?

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham news: Which ex-De Zerbi players should Spurs target? - BBC
Description

Brighton are expecting Tottenham to return with another bid for defender Jan Paul van Hecke after rejecting their initial offer.

Van Hecke, who is part of the Netherlands' World Cup squad, has a year left on his contract and new Spurs boss Roberto de Zerbi is keen to be reunited with the 25-year-old after working with him at Brighton.

The Brighton defender would be one of De Zerbi's first signings - after signing former Liverpool defender Andy Robertson - if this deal materialised, and shows how he is looking to boost his squad with players he knows well from his previous managerial roles.

Which other former De Zerbi players would you like to see Spurs target this summer and why? And do you think this is a good recruitment strategy for the club?

Source

Tottenham transfer rumours: Jan Paul van Hecke, Guglielmo Vicario

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham transfer rumours: Jan Paul van Hecke, Guglielmo Vicario - BBC
Description

From dazzling winger to veteran who barely runs - the evolution of Messi

Antonelli-Russell contrast could hardly be more stark

'I had the best and worst moments of my life on this court' - Zverev triumphs at last

Hodgkinson beaten by Werro despite personal best in Diamond League VideoHodgkinson beaten by Werro despite personal best in Diamond League

'I don't have anything to prove' - why is 44-year-old Williams back?

Born in Leeds, crafted in Norway: How Haaland became nation's superstar

The pioneer in an unlikely World Cup team

'I want to thank myself' - Andreeva's journey to Grand Slam glory

Source

Former Spurs boss Daniel Levy sells 24.99% stake in club's parent company Enic

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Former Spurs boss Daniel Levy sells 24.99% stake in club's parent company Enic - BBC
Description

Former Tottenham Hotspur executive chairman Daniel Levy has sold a 24.99% stake in the club's parent company Enic to Eight Sports Capital, the sports investment group has claimed.

The move would leave Levy with a 4.89% stake in Enic.

He stepped down in September 2025 after 24 years in the role following a restructuring triggered by the club's ultimate owners, the Lewis Family Trust.

Eight Sports Capital Ltd is a sports investment company owned by Triller, an American entertainment and technology company that is owned by Wing-Fai Ng and Richard Tsai.

Eight Sports Capital's chief executive is American tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick, who headed up a consortium that said it was prepared to buy the club last September.

At the time, Tottenham "unequivocally rejected" the informal expression of interest.

There have been no details on the price Eight Sports Capital have apparently paid for their stake, although on 26 September, BBC Sport reported the club was valued at just under the £4.25bn Clearlake Capital paid for Chelsea in 2022, which would value a near 25% stake at close to £1bn.

"We are delighted to have signed this agreement to acquire a significant stake in Enic. We look forward to working with the club's shareholders, management, staff, players and fans to support Tottenham Hotspur's continued growth and success," said a spokesperson for Eight Sports Capital.

Earick is described as an engineer, founder and serial technology entrepreneur who has raised more than $25bn (£18.65bn) from family offices, sovereign wealth funds and leading institutions worldwide. He is also a lifelong Tottenham fan.

Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Earick worked as an engineer at NASA Ames Research Center, contributing to small spacecraft and satellite technology.

Until his abrupt exit, Levy had been the public face of Tottenham for almost a quarter of a century.

He was credited with inspiring Tottenham's state-of-the-art training ground and magnificent 62,850-capacity stadium, the second biggest club ground in England behind Old Trafford, which was opened in 2019 and also hosts annual NFL games on an artificial surface that is kept underneath the grass pitch.

Source