- Dutch midfielder joins from RB Leipzig in £51.8m deal plus add-ons.
- 22-year-old signs long-term contract, subject to clearance and work permit.
- Simons to wear the number 7 shirt vacated by Son Heung-min.
- Spurs beat the competition after failed moves for Gibbs-White and Eze.
- Thomas Frank hails Simons as a creative spark ahead of key fixtures.
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig in a deal worth an initial £51.8 million ($69.9m). The Netherlands international has agreed to a long-term contract and will wear the number seven shirt.
Simons, 22, can operate both as a number 10 and on the left wing. Spurs announced the move on Friday, though financial details remain undisclosed. Reports suggest the deal includes performance-based add-ons.
“I’m really happy and can’t wait to get going. I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time,” Simons told the club website. “It’s a great club and when I met the head coach I knew straight away this was the right place for me. I will bring flair to the team but also hard work and discipline.”
Manager Thomas Frank, who took charge this summer, praised the new signing:
“Xavi has proven his ability to get goals and assists, both from the number 10 position and left-wing. He has a great eye for unlocking defences, and I know he will quickly fit into this team.”
The arrival comes at a critical point for Spurs, who were searching for an attacking midfielder after injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. Earlier pursuits of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze collapsed, with Eze ultimately joining Arsenal.
A graduate of Barcelona’s La Masia, Simons joined PSG in 2019 before shining at PSV Eindhoven on loan, scoring 22 goals in the 2022/23 season. At Leipzig, he registered 22 goals across 78 appearances in two years.
Simons will be unveiled to supporters before Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth. Spurs, like Arsenal and Liverpool, have won their opening two games, fueling optimism for a strong campaign.
