Tottenham sign France defender Alice Sombath from Lyonnes for club-record fee

Tottenham have signed the France defender Alice Sombath from OL Lyonnes for a club‑record fee. The price paid for the 22-year-old has not been disclosed but the previous club record, paid for Signe Gaupset in January, was reportedly more than £375,000.

“The league is very competitive, every game is a tough game and that’s what I’m most excited about,” Sombath said. “I saw that Spurs had a very good season last year. My qualities can bring something to the team, even though I know they already have a lot.”

Sombath spent six years at Lyonnes, the eight-time European champions, having joined from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020.

She won the Champions League in her second season, featuring twice and being on the bench in the final, and won five league titles and two Coupe de France titles.

Tottenham’s head coach, Martin Ho, said the defender “fits the profile of what we’re building”, adding: “She has already shown real maturity in her performances and we believe she has all the qualities to continue developing into a top player within our environment.

“Alice is an aggressive defender who is comfortable in possession, competitive in her duels and has the ambition to keep improving every day. Those characteristics are really important to us and we’re excited to help her take the next step in her career while strengthening the squad.”

Sombath is Spurs’ sixth signing of the summer, after Shekiera Martinez, Kirsty Hanson, Victoria Pelova, Caitlin Dijkstra and Selma Panengstuen. The club are delighted to have got these deals done early, allowing for a full pre-season, and that Sombath’s recruitment means they have secured the services of their six priority targets.

Tottenham finished fifth in the Women’s Super League last season after a disappointing 11th the preceding season. They were four points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, but 19 behind the league winners, Manchester City.