Jan Paul van Hecke joins Tottenham from Brighton in £52 million deal

[p]The Netherlands international, 26, has signed a long-term contract and will reunite with old boss Roberto de Zerbi in North London.[/p][p]He is [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tottenham/UDg08Ohm/"]Spurs[/a]' third signing of the summer after the free acquisitions of left-back [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/robertson-andrew/6e7Be9VI/"]Andy Robertson[/a] and centre-back [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/senesi-marcos/tzX63L7E/"]Marcos Senesi[/a].[/p][p]A Brighton exit for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-hecke-jan-paul/WG59HGIH/"]Van Hecke[/a] appeared inevitable after it became clear he would not extend his contract, which was due to end in 12 months.[/p][embed guid="e57e38b1-75ff-4ee4-9686-eb8b14c0d850" url="https://x.com/spursofficial/status/2067676223128424553?s=46" social-type="twitter" /][p]"[b]It's a huge honour to become a Spurs player and when you join such a big club, it's a dream come true[/b]," Van Hecke told the club's official website.[/p][p]"[b]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[/b].[/p][p]"[b]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[/b]."[/p][p]Van Hecke joined [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brighton/2XrRecc3/"]Brighton[/a] from Dutch side [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nac-breda/nLNrHc14/"]NAC Breda[/a] in 2020, but only emerged in the first team two years later.[/p][p]He started 36 Premier League games in the recent season as he helped the Seagulls qualify for the Conference League.[/p][p]Van Hecke made 131 appearances in total for the East Sussex club.[/p][p]Van Hecke is currently at the World Cup representing the Netherlands alongside fellow Spurs defender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-de-ven-micky/rotN6HH8/"]Micky van de Ven[/a].[/p][p]Brighton, meanwhile, retain an interest in 19-year-old Spurs centre-back [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vuskovic-luka/QLMh9ouh/"]Luka Vuskovic[/a] as a potential replacement.[/p][p]They have seen two bids for the Croatian prospect rejected, with the latest reportedly worth £35 million.[/p]