Jan Paul van Hecke has completed a permanent transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion to Tottenham Hotspur, ending a six-year stay at the Amex after 131 Albion appearances.
Brighton confirmed the defender’s departure on Thursday evening, with the club stating that the move has gone through for undisclosed terms. The 26-year-old joined Albion from NAC Breda in 2020, spent loan spells with Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers, then became a regular first-team centre-back on the south coast.
The move brings a firm end to a long-running transfer story around one of Brighton’s most established defenders. Van Hecke leaves as a Netherlands international and as a player who had become central to Albion’s defensive identity across recent seasons.
Brighton Lose A Proven Premier League Centre-Back
Brighton technical director Mike Cave praised Van Hecke’s development pathway and said the club were proud of the role they had played in his rise, according to Brighton’s official confirmation of the transfer.
Fabian Hurzeler also paid tribute to the defender’s influence, describing him as a major presence on and off the pitch during their two years working together.
For Brighton, the immediate focus now turns to replacing both his minutes and authority. Van Hecke’s exit removes a player with Premier League experience, international status and a strong connection with supporters, making the next defensive decision one of Albion’s clearest summer priorities.
