Spurs sign Dutch defender Van Hecke from Brighton

LONDON: Tottenham signed Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for a reported fee of £52 million (US$68 million) on Thursday.

Van Hecke will be reunited with Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi after they worked together during two seasons at Brighton.

De Zerbi made the Dutch centre-back a key part of his close-season rebuilding plan after saving Tottenham from relegation on the final day of last season.

After two Tottenham bids were rejected by Brighton, the 26-year-old was finally able to sign a long-term contract with the north London club.

“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.

“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.”

De Zerbi’s focus has been on defence, with left-back Andy Robertson and centre-back Marcos Senesi joining on free transfers before Van Hecke’s arrival to bolster a team that has conceded 122 goals in the last two league campaigns.

“Jan Paul is someone I know very well from our time together at Brighton, and I’m delighted to be working with him again,” De Zerbi said.

“He is a strong, intelligent centre-back who is brave in possession and plays with personality. Those are important qualities for the way I want our team to set-up.

“Off the pitch he is mature, a leader and has a hunger to learn and improve every day.”

Van Hecke will link up with his new team after the World Cup.