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Tottenham Hotspur have announced that former Arsenal midfielder Victoria Pelova has joined the club as a free agent.

Upon the expiry of her contract at the end of last season, Pelova becomes Spurs women’s newest addition this summer.

Over three years at Arsenal she made 56 appearances, including 17 matches last season, but explained that Martin Ho was a big reason she decided to join Spurs.

“It feels nice to be here, I had a lovely welcome from everyone,” she said.

“When I had conversations with Martin, he was so good. It felt immediately right to go to Spurs.

“I can’t wait for the season, and I’m so happy to be here.”

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The Spurs women’s boss was full of praise for the Netherlands international after she was announced as a new Tottenham player.

“Victoria is a brilliant signing for us and someone who brings real quality, intelligence and top-level experience into our team.

“She is an established international player with the Netherlands,” he said. “She has played in major European competitions domestically and internationally, and understands what it takes to perform in high-pressure environments.

“What excites us is not only what she has already shown in her career, but also the belief we have that there is still much more to evolve in her game.

“We are delighted she has chosen to come to Tottenham. She arrives with strong experience, a real understanding of this league, and the ambition to keep developing.

“Our role now is to give her the environment, support and challenge to help her show even more of her qualities and become an important player for this football club.”

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of experienced goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

The Slovakian will join the club in July following the expiration of his contract with Burnley.

“It’s an exciting time for me, a new journey and new experience for me and my family,” Dubravka said. “I’m looking forward to it.

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“Everything moved pretty quickly and I’m really happy to be here. I’ve loved watching Roberto’s teams over the years and know all about his style, vision and the fantastic fans here.

“Tottenham Hotspur is one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and I can’t wait to meet everyone and get started.”

Jess Naz confirmed that her recovery is going well after being out for seven months since suffering an ACL injury last season.

In Spurs’ win over Aston Villa last December, the forward picked up the ACL injury and is yet to feature for the club since then.

At the club’s kit launch Naz spoke to Hayters.com and gave an update on her fitness.

“Recovery is going well,” she said. “Obviously, it’s quite a big injury, so taking it step by step, it’s going smoothly right now.

“I’m just excited to get back with the team next season.”

“My teammates and manager have been great. I remember when I first did it Martin [HO] came straight down and saw me after.

“I broke down. I was emotional, but yeah, the girls have been great, had my back every time, supporting me. I think that’s what’s helped me push. I’m just ready to get back playing with the girls.”

Since Martin Ho took over the club, Tottenham’s women’s team has come on leaps and bounds, from finishing 11th in the previous campaign to 5th last year. Naz explained what has changed under the new boss.

“I think I’ve had a great first season,” she said. “We have a strong league position. He’s come in, raised the levels, really demanding high standards.

“I think the way we play, exciting football, but also the way that we defend, being hard to beat.And I think next season is going to be exciting as well. We’ll just keep on growing, growing, moving forward. We’re just going to keep challenging and pushing.”

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Jan Paul van Hecke says he is relishing the chance to play under Roberto De Zerbi again after completing his move to Spurs.

De Zerbi coached the Dutchman at Brighton, who Tottenham have paid a fee of around £52 million to in order to sign the 26-year-old.

“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 after completing his move.

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“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.”

Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

Van Hecke has one-year left on his contract at the South Coast side, with the deal reported to be around £52 million. The Netherlands international will become Roberto De Zerbi’s third signing of the summer after the acquisitions of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively.

The 26-year-old played 50 matches under the Italian during his time as Brighton boss between 2023 and 2024, and the deal would represent a major profit on the defender, after the Seagulls signed him for £1.8m from NAC Breda in 2020. He started 36 of Brighton’s 38 matches in the Premier League as he helped Fabian Hurzeler’s side to eighth place and a spot in the UEFA Conference League.

The Athletic reported that personal terms are not expected to be an issue for the Dutchman, who is currently representing his country at the World Cup, and started for the Netherlands in their tournament opener, a 2-2 draw against Japan. Any deal for the defender will not include Croatian youngster Luka Vuskovic, who was subject to a £35 million bid from Brighton earlier in June, which was rejected by Spurs.

Van Hecke has made 131 appearances for Brighton, with 106 of those coming in the Premier League and

Micky van de Ven hailed Jan Paul van Hecke’s mentality after he played through a painful eye injury during Netherlands’ World Cup opener, calling his future Tottenham Hotspur teammate a “real warrior.”

Van Hecke suffered a heavy blow to the face during the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Japan on June 14 at Dallas Stadium, leaving him with significant swelling around his right eye and reduced vision after the match.

Despite the issue worsening during the game, the 26-year-old centre-back completed the full 90 minutes but had a noticeable black eye when he spoke in the mix zone following the match.

“I think he got a kick at the beginning of the game, when he had the ball, the guy kicked his face,” van de Ven said, speaking after the match about van Hecke.

“So he’s got a really blue eye for the next game, but he’s a real warrior.”

Following Sunday’s match, van Hecke admitted he was struggling to see properly out of his right eye after suffering the blow, with more tests expected to assess his fitness ahead of Netherlands’ next match against Sweden on Saturday.

Van Hecke is now set to join Tottenham from Brighton in a deal worth £52 million, according to The Athletic.

It is understood that Brighton had previously rejected offers believed to be in the £40m–50m range before agreeing a club-record defensive fee.

After Tottenham battled hard to avoid Premier League relegation last season, the move would see Van Hecke join his Dutch teammate van de Ven in north London, as part of the Lilywhites’ defensive rebuild.

Tottenham have turned down multiple approaches for striker Will Lankshear, Hayters understands.

Lankshear impressed on loan at Oxford United in the Championship last season, scoring 12 goals and notching four assists.

Spurs are believed to want around £20m for the 21-year-old, with several sides in Europe keen on the Englishman this summer.

That includes Portuguese side Sporting CP, who believe Lankshear has the potential to make a similar impact at the club to that of Viktor Gyokeres after he was signed from Coventry City. Gyokeres was sold to Arsenal last summer for a package worth a potential £64m.

Spurs rate the youngster highly but could be tempted to sell him if a sizable offer is made. However, they are also considering whether to send him out on loan for another season, with several Championship having already made approaches to Tottenham.

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Middlesbrough submitted a bid worth a potential £15m for the striker in January, should they have secured promotion to the Premier League, but the decision was made by Lankshear and Spurs to remain at Oxford United on loan, before revisiting his future at the end of the season.

Lankshear is under contract with Spurs until 2029.

Tottenham will need to sell players if they are to fund a spending spree for boss Roberto de Zerbi, as he looks to rebuild his squad having narrowly avoided relegation last season.

Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke and Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali are among those high on de Zerbi’s list of transfer targets.

Fellow youngsters Luka Vuskovic and Mikey Moore could also be sold to bolster Spurs’ transfer kitty, if significant offers are made, with Brighton among the clubs keen on Vuskovic.

Richarlison could also move on, with only a year left on his current contract.

Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro has signed a new long-term deal with the club, understood to be until 2031.

Porro joined Spurs three years ago and has made 152 appearances for the club, including 47 in all competitions last season.

Upon him signing the deal, manager Roberto De Zerbi said: “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.”

Sporting director Johan Lange said: “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.

“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.”

Porro is currently with Spain at the World Cup.

Brighton have made an offer to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Luka Vuskovic, according to the Athletic.

The offer is said to be worth £30m, with Vuskovic reportedly keen on making the move as the next step in his career.

Vuskovic spent last season on loan at Hamburg, where he impressed, and clubs in Europe are also keen on signing the Croatian defender.

The bid comes as Tottenham continue talks with Brighton over signing their defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are reportedly set to reject the chance to sign Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal following his loan spell at the club last season.

The Spanish side have already completed a deal to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle instead of Rashford, leaving the Manchester United forward’s future unclear.

ESPN say Barcelona’s rivals Real Madrid are in talks to sign Bernardo Silva following his exit from Manchester City.

Madrid confirmed the appointment of Jose Mourinho as their new boss yesterday and the Portuguese coach has reportedly moved quickly to try to sign his compatriot Silva.

Elsewhere, Newcastle are hoping to complete a deal to sign Osasuna winger Victor Munoz.

Kieran Tripper is said to be considering ripping up his contract with Wolves following the decision to sack Rob Edwards, Sky Sports say.

Tottenham have confirmed the departure of midfielder Yves Bissouma following the expiration of his contract.

Bissouma joined Spurs from Brighton in 2022 and went on to make 111 appearances for the club.

Spurs have also announced the exits of several of their youth players – Pele Arganese-McDermott, Tyrell Ashcroft, Leo Black, Dante Cassanova, Matthew Craig and Calum Logan.

But long-serving defender Ben Davies has extended his stay at the club, signing a new one-year deal.

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“Tottenham Hotspur really feels like home,” Davies said. “It’s been a huge part of my football journey and I’m grateful for what the club has given me so far in my career.

“It’s been difficult over the past few months, not being able to help the team on the pitch in some tough moments due to injury. So I tried to help the boys off it as much as I could, being a voice in the dressing room and around the group, contributing in any way I could.

“My heart’s on my sleeve for this Club and I’ll give everything for it.”