Tottenham sign Lyon defender Alice Sombath for club record fee

Tottenham have officially completed the signing of France international defender Alice Sombath from Lyon. While the exact fee remains undisclosed, the club confirmed it is a new record for Tottenham, surpassing the previous record of approximately £375,000 paid for Signe Gaupset last year.

The 22-year-old arrives with an impressive pedigree, having spent five seasons at the European giants. During her time in France, Sombath won five consecutive domestic league titles and was part of the squad that triumphed in the 2021-22 Women's Champions League. She has also established herself as a regular for the French senior national team, featuring in every match during Euro 2025.

I want to do my best here at Tottenham. I think the league is very competitive, every game is tough and that's what I'm most excited about. Alice Sombath

Spurs manager Martin Ho expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition, describing the defender as an aggressive player who is comfortable in possession and highly competitive in duels. Sombath, who can operate as a centre-back or right-back, is expected to provide significant quality to the squad.

This move marks the sixth signing of the window for Tottenham, following the arrivals of players like Shekeira Martinez, Kirsty Hanson, Victoria Pelova, Caitlin Dijkstra and Selma Panengstuen. The club has been proactive in completing their transfer business early to ensure the squad is prepared for the upcoming competitive season in the Women's Super League.