Tottenham Hotspur

After a long journey back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Ella Morris has revealed where she is in her recovery and expressed her eagerness to get back on the pitch this season after penning a new, long-term contract with the Club.

Following an impressive end to the 2024/25 campaign, where she received her maiden call-up to the senior England squad in May and was named our Juniors’ Supporters Player of the Season, the 22-year-old defender was dealt a huge blow in the summer.

In just her second training session with the Lionesses, Ella suffered an ACL injury, ruling her out of action for the past eight months.

Facing a long road to recovery for the second time in her career, she has shown plenty of resilience and character in her rehabilitation and has since returned to the grass to begin running once again – and now she is targeting a return to full training soon.

“I’m doing really well,” said our number three, speaking to us as part of her new contract announcement. “I’m nearly eight months post-op now.

“I’m on the pitch, building up my mileage, stats and data. Hopefully soon, I’ll be more integrated into team training."

Joining us in July, 2024, after a successful spell at Southampton, where she progressed through the age groups to becoming a first team regular on the south coast, Ella felt her time at the Club has seen her grown as a person, especially away from the pitch.

“I think it’s allowed me to discover who I am. I loved my time at Saints, but being at one club for so long, I was still kind of a child in a way.

“Moving environments, moving out of home, learning who I am - it’s been really exciting. I like who I am now, I like who I am around the girls and in this environment. It feels really nice to feel settled again.”

The England youth international suffered an injury-hampered start to life in Lilywhite but, in the second half of the campaign, she caught the eyes of many with some impressive displays.

Completing every single minute of our last eight WSL games in the 2024/25 season, even scoring her first goal for the Club in a clash against Aston Villa in that run, she received her first-ever call-up to the Lionesses’ squad, having been a regular for the Under-23s over the last few years.

However, she has been watching on as a supporter this season while her team-mates have enjoyed a fantastic first half of this campaign, currently sat fourth in the table, and Ella is now itching to get back involved.

“The closer I get, the more excited I am,” she added. “There’s always a bit of envy - you don’t fully feel part of it when the team’s winning and you’re not in the changing room.

“But it’s also excitement. That envy pushes me more to want to get back in there and be part of those celebrations.

“If I can get even a few minutes towards the end of the season, I’ll be running around like a madwoman, working as hard as I can.

“The girls have been amazing and the staff have been absolutely brilliant – a huge shoutout to them. They know who they are. I moan at them a lot, but it’s all love.”

The recovery period can be difficult at times: differing schedules to the rest of the squad, training in the mornings of matchday and not having that feeling of being ready to get out on the pitch.

So, what is one aspect that Ella is excited for when she returns?

"For me, it’s the matchday feeling - the buzz before a game,” she told us.

“The morning routine, getting ready, being in the changing room when everyone’s buzzing. That moment where you think, ‘yeah, I’m back now’. That’s what I’m really looking forward to.”

Welcome to Spurs, Conor Gallagher!

After 18 months with Atletico Madrid in Spain, the midfielder has returned home to England following his permanent move to north London on Wednesday afternoon.

With 290 senior club appearances and 22 caps to date, the 25-year-old cut his teeth during various loan spells in the Championship and Premier League before establishing himself as a first-team regular and captain in the English top flight with boyhood club Chelsea.

Joining Atleti in August, 2024, becoming only the second Englishman after former Spur Kieran Trippier to do so, the England international departed the Spanish capital with 77 appearances in all competitions and now embarks on a fresh adventure in Lilywhite.

A player very familiar to these shores and who has come up against his new Head Coach on numerous occasions – more on that later – we look at our number 22’s career journey to N17…

Standing out as a relentless, all-action midfielder with leadership and technical qualities, he captained the Under-18s on numerous occasions during their treble-winning season (U18 Premier League, U18 Premier League Cup and FA Youth Cup) the following campaign before stepping up to the Under-21s in 2018/19 at 18 years old.

During that season, Conor began to train regularly with the men’s first team under Maurizio Sarri which ended with a Europa League winner’s medal, having been an unused substitute as Chelsea beat Arsenal in Baku, and scooped the Blues’ academy player of the year accolade.

First steps in senior football

Conor’s senior education accelerated with a Championship loan to Charlton Athletic as a 19-year-old in August, 2019.

Thrust straight into the action with his debut from the bench in a 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers in the league opener, his first start brought a maiden senior goal in a 3-1 victory over Stoke City and he backed this up with a goal and assist in a 2-2 draw at Barnsley as he nailed down a starting place under Lee Bowyer.

Conor scored five goals in his first two and a half months for the Addicks, including a winning strike in a 1-0 success over Thomas Frank’s Brentford – the start of a saga against our Head Coach – form that earned a maiden England Under-21 call-up in October, and went on to contribute six goals and four assists in his 26 appearances during his five-month spell at The Valley.

Promotion push

A January switch across the Welsh border to join Championship promotion hopefuls Swansea City on loan meant Conor was living away from home for the first time but joined a familiar face in former England Under-17 coach Steve Cooper who was Head Coach in south Wales.

The midfielder picked up where he left off and registered an assist on debut in a 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic and went on to start all 19 league games during his loan spell.

Whilst not scoring for the Swans, he ended the regular season with seven assists as they secured the last play-off place in sixth with a 4-1 victory at Reading on the final day and would face – you guessed it – Thomas’ third-place Brentford in the play-off semi-final, playing every minute across both legs as the Bees prevailed 3-2 on aggregate.

His Premier League debut arrived in a goalless draw against Burnley the following month and then his maiden Premier League goal brought West Brom’s first win of the campaign with the winner against Sheffield United five games later on Matchday 10.

Following this up with a consolation strike against Crystal Palace next time out, his loan side would only win five games all campaign as West Brom were relegated but Conor emerged with significant credit across his 32 appearances – 28 starts – in the top division.

Landing at the Eagles

With a season’s Premier League experience under his belt, Conor’s real breakthrough came on loan at Crystal Palace in 2021/22. From his first start – a goalless draw against none other than Thomas’ Brentford! – he became integral to Palace’s pressing midfield under Patrick Vieira.

He opened his Eagles account with a crucial brace in a 2-2 draw at West Ham on his third appearance, assisted in a 3–0 win against us next time out and bagged in consecutive matches against Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers on Matchday 10 and 11. His display against City, in particular, drew plaudits as he had a hand in both goals with an assist for the opener in their famous 2-0 away win at the reigning champions.

His club form earned a maiden senior England call-up from Gareth Southgate that November and, after representing the Young Lions at every age group from Under-17, he made his international debut as a half-time substitute in a 10–0 win in San Marino that month.

Strides at Stamford Bridge

Conor returned to Chelsea as a genuine first-team option in 2022/23 and, after 15 years on the club’s books, was given his senior debut as a late substitute in a 1–0 win at Everton by then head coach Thomas Tuchel and made his first start at Leeds United two games later.

Tuchel was replaced by Graham Potter on 8 September and the first game of his tenure saw the midfielder make his UEFA Champions League debut off the bench in a 1-1 draw with RB Salzburg and made eight appearances in Europe that term – including a start in the quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid.

In Potter’s first league game in charge away to Crystal Palace on 1 October, the former Eagles loanee was introduced at 1-1 in the final quarter of the contest and opened his Chelsea account with a dramatic 90th-minute winner to defeat his former side at Selhurst Park.

During his maiden season as a first-team regular at the Blues – which brought managerial upheaval that saw Potter dismissed after seven months and, with Bruno Saltor overseeing one match, Frank Lampard return via an interim spell – Conor was part of England’s 2022 World Cup squad, though did not feature in Qatar, and featured 35 times in the Premier League – 45 in total – contributing three goals and an assist.

The following campaign saw his role transform further. He became an established starter and leader under new boss Mauricio Pochettino, captaining Chelsea for the first time at Bournemouth in September on Matchday Five and wore the armband 30 times across all competitions.

Ever-present in the Premier League barring a one-match suspension, Conor was instrumental as a tireless box-to-box midfielder and created 11 big chances in the top flight that term – finishing in the top 10 overall and fourth amongst recognised central midfielders.

He ended the league campaign with five goals and seven assists – also adding two FA Cup strikes, including a 90th-minute winner against Leeds – and started in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley where they narrowly lost to Liverpool in extra time.

Continental chapter

After featuring in England’s run to the UEFA EURO 2024 final, making five appearances including the semi-final win over the Netherlands, Conor departed Chelsea that summer having made 95 senior appearances – registering 10 goals and 10 assists – to join Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in August.

Tottenham Hotspur is pleased to announce the appointment of Carlos Raphael Moersen as Director of Football Operations, a newly created role as part of the Club’s approach to build a modern, high-performance football structure to drive long-term success.

Known as Rafi, he joins from City Football Group, where he spent more than a decade in senior roles across a global football model, most recently playing a central role in player transactions as Director of Football Transactions.

Rafi’s appointment is part of a sustained focus on strengthening the foundations that support performance on the pitch, which include the appointment of Dan Lewindon as Performance Director, who will join us next month, and increased investment in our Academy to enhance the pipeline of talent ready for first team men's football.

Rafi will lead our football administration, player care, and training ground operations, and join the Club’s Executive Leadership Team. A key part of his role will be overseeing women’s football, where we will continue to drive a renewed focus and ambition for Tottenham Hotspur Women.

Sporting Director, Johan Lange, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rafi to the Club in the newly created role of Director of Football Operations. He was the outstanding candidate from a highly competitive process and brings a wealth of experience in this critical area of our football operation.

“His appointment is an important step as we continue to strengthen our football structure and support long-term success.”

Goalscorer Elliott-Parris on hard-earned win over Aston Villa Under-18s  Tottenham Hotspur

Our Women’s Under-19s were left frustrated as Birmingham City escaped with maximum points after a 3-1 win in the Professional Game Academy League on Wednesday.

Despite a strong opening from us on a bitterly cold afternoon in the midlands, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock through Jess Bryer just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark but, in stoppage time of the first period, a well-struck strike from defender Beatrice Cunnison got us back on level terms.

However, our hard work was undone seven minutes after the restart when Roni Molendo-Payne bundled home from close range to reinstate the Blues’ lead. We searched for an equaliser for the remainder of the second half - Rania Oukriss and Cunnison both going close to a leveller - but, as we pushed forward in the closing stages, Molendo-Payne went up the other end with four minutes left in normal time to net her second goal of the contest and ultimately wrap up the three points for the home side.

Head Coach Sabiha Jamal welcomed the return of Under-16s full-back Amie Bush into the starting XI, while fellow Under-16s forward Daria Ordean was named in amongst the substitutes, who came on to make her first appearance for the Under-19s in the final 20 minutes of the contest.

The two sides traded early opportunities at Knights Head Performance Centre, Cunnison recovering well to deny Bryer as she went through one-on-one with Erin Radbourne while Cruz Fuller-Fagan’s effort on the half-volley from the edge of the box was saved low by Lily Felgate. However, despite a controlled start from us in the opening quarter-of-an-hour, we find ourselves behind in the 17th minute as Dewver Thompson’s cross into the area picked out Bryer, who finished with a low first-time drive that bounced off the inside of the far post and into the back of the net.

We tried to respond after falling behind, Fuller-Fagan denied by Felgate once again after advancing behind the backline before, from the outside of the left area of the box, Holly-Mae Elmes curled a free-kick over the bar. Felgate was called in action once more to deny Fuller-Fagan, as the forward latched on to Elmes’ header into the box, she turned and struck an effort towards goal, but the Blues’ shot stopper reacted quick to get a strong hand on the ball.

Tayliah Abrahams fired over the bar from distance for the hosts but, in the second minute of stoppage time of the first half, we got ourselves back on level terms when Lucy Barraclough delivered a ball from the halfway line into Cunnison's feet on the edge of the box, she took a touch to set herself on her right foot in the area before firing low into the bottom corner. However, after deservedly getting ourselves back on level terms, we fell behind once again nine minutes after the restart when a corner from the right was eventually bundled home by Molendo-Payne from close range, despite strong appeals for a foul on goalkeeper Radbourne in the build-up.

Having to lift our spirits for a second time in the contest to searched for another equaliser, we carved out a few opportunities, with Poppy Neill curling wide from outside of the box while Oukriss was denied at the near post by Felgate. The home side, though, continued to be a threat and came the close to extending their advantage when Abrahams headed over the bar at the back post after a deep corner from the right. With eight minutes left in normal time, we felt we should have grabbed a leveller when Bush’s corner slipped through the hands of Felgate and the ball landed at the head of Cunnison, but the defender had to react quickly and under pressure from a number of defenders, she sent her header narrowly over the bar in what was our best chance of the second period.

Then, as we continued to push forward for that all-important, the home side capitalised at the other end as Molendo-Payne, who originally saw an effort saved by Radbourne seconds before, sent a powerful effort from inside the area that stung the palms of our shot stopper but could only direct the ball into the roof the net, as our young side were condemned to their first defeat in four league games – stretching back to the opening weekend of December.

"We’re disappointed with the result because we know we didn’t do enough"

Reflecting on the result, Sabiha said: "We’re disappointed with the result today because we know we didn’t do enough. We had a few chances to take the lead, very similar to the performance last week. We let our standards slip, I think we got complacent, which leads to us losing control and then we concede goals that we know we can do so much better at. We need to learn from today, including our behaviours to react in the right way, as we now look to prepare for a big cup game next week."

Pape Matar Sarr and Senegal are back in the Africa Cup of Nations final!

Part of the squad that helped Senegal to their first ever triumph at the tournament back in 2021, Pape has the chance for the glory once more after his nation edged past Egypt 1-0 in the semi-finals on Wednesday night to secure their spot in this year's final.

An unused substitute for the last four clash in Tangier, the Lions of Teranga had to remain patient in a tight clash with the seven-time winners of the tournament, but they made their moment count as, on 78 minutes, former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane rifled in from the edge of the area to book his country's place in the Rabat showpiece.

It is Pape's third time at the AFCON finals but already his second time reaching the final, having also done so in Cameroon in 2021 where Senegal overcame Egypt on penalties in Yaounde to take the continental crown.

This year's final will take place on Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat (kick-off 8pm UK) with Senegal's opponents still to be determined as hosts Morocco take on Nigeria in the other semi-final.

Spurs U18 vs Aston Villa U18 | Key Highlights | 2025/26  Tottenham Hotspur

Take a peek behind the scenes of Conor Gallagher’s first day at Hotspur Way, after signing a long-term contract at the Club.

Following his move from Atletico Madrid, we were with him as he arrived in England, underwent his medical, and completed his media activities before signing on the dotted line in N17.

Take a peek behind the scenes of Conor Gallagher’s first day at Hotspur Way, after signing a long-term contract at the Club.

Following his move from Atletico Madrid, we were with him as he arrived in England, underwent his medical, and completed his media activities before signing on the dotted line in N17.

Conor Gallagher couldn’t hide his excitement as he signed on the dotted line at Hotspur Way on Wednesday, sealing his move to our storied club.

An arrival from Atletico Madrid, Conor has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Club and now can’t wait to get started in N17.

A player with appetite and desire, eager to make his mark, the Surrey-born midfielder will be well known to Spurs fans already having made his name in the Premier League with Crystal Palace and Chelsea, before becoming a regular fixture in the England squad.

Now after 18 months away from England’s top flight, a period where he picked up invaluable experience in Madrid, fighting for honours both domestically and internationally in the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Club Cup, the 25-year-old is eager to get going in Lilywhite and bring success as he hopes to create special memories for our fans.

“I'm so happy and so excited to be here. It means so much,” he said. “I know how massive the Club is and how great the fans are and everything else to do with the Club. I'm just really happy to be part of it.

“(The transfer moved) really fast, which was great because it's what I wanted. I really wanted it and I wanted to be a Spurs player. Thankfully, the Club felt the same. It was very easy at the end, and it happened very fast.

“I've had some good experiences so far (in my career) - I'm still only 25. I feel like I've got great experience now, which is brilliant, and I'm really excited to basically take this next step in my career.

“I’m so hungry now. Obviously, a year and a half out of the Premier League, now I'm back and at this amazing club. I'm so hungry to do well for the Club and for the Club to have success and to grow. I want to play a big part of that. I want to do everything I can, work as hard as possible to do that.”

“I'm so excited to push on and be part of this amazing club and hopefully create some special memories and moments together. I’m just excited to show the fans what I can do. Hopefully, I can be a great player for Spurs. I'm ready to get on the pitch now.”

Watch Conor's first interview in N17