Tottenham Hotspur signed Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for a reported fee of £52 million ($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.
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“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.”
Jan Paul van Hecke will link up with his new team after the World Cup.
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