Jan Paul van Hecke Joins Tottenham Hotspur from Brighton on Long-Term Deal

Jan Paul van Hecke, the Dutch international defender, has signed a long-term contract with Tottenham Hotspur from Brighton & Hove Albion. Expressing his excitement about joining the prestigious club, he looks forward to reuniting with the Head Coach and playing in front of Spurs fans. With a solid track record in the Premier League and international football, van Hecke aims to make a significant impact at Tottenham. His journey includes notable achievements at Brighton, where he became a key player and earned multiple accolades. Read on to discover more about his career and aspirations at Spurs.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 19, 2026, 06:22 IST

Jan Paul van Hecke's Transfer to Tottenham Hotspur

London [UK], June 19: Jan Paul van Hecke, a seasoned defender from the Netherlands, has officially signed a long-term contract with Tottenham Hotspur, moving from Brighton & Hove Albion, as confirmed by the club's official website.

Upon his arrival, Jan Paul expressed his excitement, stating, “Becoming a Spurs player is a tremendous honor, and joining such a prestigious club feels like a dream realized.”

He further mentioned his strong rapport with the Head Coach, expressing eagerness to collaborate once again. “Micky (van de Ven) has shared wonderful insights about the club, and I am thrilled to begin this journey. Having played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as an opponent, I now look forward to stepping onto the pitch in front of our supporters wearing the Spurs jersey. That will be a memorable experience,” he added.

The 26-year-old centre-back joins Tottenham after establishing himself as a reliable Premier League and international defender during his time at Brighton.

Jan Paul initially joined Brighton at the age of 20, following a single season of senior football where he made 16 appearances for NAC Breda, contributing to the team's run to the KNVB Cup semi-finals before moving to England.

To enhance his skills, he returned to the Netherlands on loan to Heerenveen, where he played in the top division for the first time during the 2020/21 season, also reaching the KNVB Cup semi-finals.

His first experience in English football came the following season when he was loaned to Blackburn Rovers, where he had an exceptional season and was honored as the club's Player of the Year, becoming the first loan player to receive this accolade.

Jan Paul's debut for Brighton and in the Premier League occurred at the start of the 2022/23 season, coinciding with the club's best-ever performance, finishing sixth and qualifying for European competition for the first time, alongside a run to the FA Cup semi-finals.

As a key player in Roberto De Zerbi's squad, he made 39 appearances across all competitions in the following season, including seven in the UEFA Europa League.

Jan Paul was a consistent presence in Brighton's defense, earning both the Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season awards for the 2024/25 season. He continued to excel in the 2025/26 season, recording the second-highest number of passes in the Premier League with over 2,500, while only two players had more touches of the ball.

He made his debut for the Netherlands Under-21 team in June 2022 and earned his first senior cap in September 2024 during a 2-2 match against Germany. To date, he has 13 international caps and made his World Cup debut on Monday, where the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan.