DONE DEAL: Spurs Women break transfer record, sign French defender Alice Sombath

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DUSSELDORF, GERMANY - OCTOBER 24: Alice Sombath of France looks on during the Women's Nations League 2025 Semi-Final first leg match between Germany and France at Düsseldorf Arena on October 24, 2025 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Bomba? Bomba! Tottenham Hotspur Women continue their massive squad refresh this summer, announcing their sixth signing of the summer. And this one’s a doozy — Spurs have signed 22-year-old French defender Alice Sombath from Lyon, breaking the transfer record they set last summer in the process.

We are delighted to announce the signing of Alice Sombath, subject to international clearance and work permit

https://t.co/KI8m1MyPQPpic.twitter.com/GbwX1mXRp2

— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) July 21, 2026

The Guardian reports that Tottenham broke their transfer record to sign Sombath. That record was set only last summer when Spurs spent £375k to sign Norway international Signe Gaupset from Brann. The actual purchase fee was not disclosed, but we know it’s more than £375k, which makes this a real statement signing for Spurs Women and for Martin Ho.

Sombath, 22, is one of those highly ambitious, excellent young defenders that Martin Ho likes to include in his squads. She was not a club regular at Lyon, only making 14 starts, but has represented France at all underage levels and earned her first senior France cap in 2024. She is very likely to earn a roster spot for France at next summer’s World Cup. Sombath played primarily as a central defender at Lyon, but also had a number of matches at right back, and that positional versatility will likely play in her favor at Spurs.

Sombath is considered a very composed defender who is very good at playing out of the back. She is excellent at recycling the ball but also has a long pass on her from deep positions and the vision to know when to launch a long ball or play it to the defensive midfielder. Watching her highlights, she also can carry the ball out from the back line to create space and break pressure. She’s not a speedy defender, but she has very good defensive positioning. Think more Kevin Danso than Micky van de Ven. She’s also excellent in the air.

These are all things that would’ve endeared her to Ho, who said very nice things about her in the club’s official press release about the signings.

“We’re delighted to welcome Alice to Tottenham Hotspur. She’s a player we’ve followed closely for some time and one who fits the profile of what we’re building here. 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.”

This looks like a very solid signing — Sombath is already a good player and she’s young enough that she’s likely to continue developing in the coming years. Spurs may not be making gigantic waves in the transfer market like London City, but they are putting together what looks like a sharp squad as they continue to push for a Champions League place in the WSL next season. Sombath is Spurs’ sixth signing of this window, joining West Ham’s Shekiera Martinez, Wolfsburg’s Caitlin Dijkstra, Kirsty Hanson from Aston Villa, SK Brann’s Selma Panengstuen, and free transfer Victoria Pelova.

Welcome to Tottenham, Alice!

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