Soccer-Spurs sign Dutch World Cup defender Van Hecke as rebuild gathers pace

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion in a reported 52 million pounds deal to bolster their backline under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Netherlands World Cup ​defender Jan Paul van Hecke from ​Brighton & Hove Albion on a ‌long-term contract, ​the Premier League clubs announced on Thursday, as the club rebuilds under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Financial details were ‌not disclosed, but British media said the 26-year-old centre-back will arrive in North London in a 52 million pounds ($68.60 million) deal to be reunited with Italian De Zerbi, his former ‌manager at Brighton.

Van Hecke, who has 13 caps, made his World Cup debut in ‌the Netherlands' 2-2 draw againstJapan on Monday. "He is a strong, intelligent centre-back who is brave in possession and plays with personality," De Zerbi said. "Those are important qualities for the way I want our team to set ⁠up."

Van ​Hecke's arrival strengthens a ⁠Tottenham backline that already features his Netherlands teammate Micky van de Ven. Their chemistry should provide De Zerbi with ⁠a highly technical, ball-playing central defensive pairing capable of building play from the back, a hallmark ​of the Italian's system.

"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 in a statement, adding ⁠that ​Van de Ven and his own past relationship with De Zerbi influenced his decision. Spurs are rebuilding the squad after an awful campaign last season saw them just ⁠avoid the drop as they finished in 17th place, two points above relegated London rivals West ⁠Ham United.

They have ⁠already brought in Scotland captain Andy Robertson with his contract expiring at Liverpool and Argentina defender Marco Senesi from Bournemouth also on ‌a free transfer. ($1 = ‌0.7580 pounds)