Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal to bring Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for a fee believed to be around £52 million, a signing that underlines manager Roberto De Zerbi's ambition to transform the club's defensive unit this summer.

Van Hecke's arrival completes a defensive overhaul

Van Hecke, 26, had one year remaining on his contract at Brighton and was eager to reunite with De Zerbi, whom the Netherlands international has described as a father figure. The centre-back played 50 matches under the Italian at the Amex Stadium between 2023 and 2024, making him immediately familiar with the style of play De Zerbi intends to implement at Spurs.

Brighton will make a substantial profit on the deal, having signed Van Hecke from NAC Breda for just £1.8 million back in 2020. The club have also secured a 20 percent sell-on clause as part of the agreement.

Van Hecke joins Marcos Senesi, who arrived at Spurs as a free transfer earlier this summer. Together, the pair were the top two players in the Premier League last season for bypassing opponents through the lines — precisely the profile De Zerbi has targeted to overhaul Spurs' build-up play.

De Zerbi's tactical vision takes shape

The logic behind the defensive recruitment is clear. De Zerbi wants centre-backs who are comfortable with the ball at their feet and capable of breaking opposition pressure with progressive passes. Both Van Hecke and Senesi excel in this regard — a marked contrast to the more limited passing numbers of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.

Van Hecke is already well-versed in De Zerbi's demands, while Senesi, working under Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, adapted to a direct, vertical style that also suits progressive defending. Brighton's current head coach Fabian Hurzeler credited De Zerbi's earlier influence in 2024, saying: