Tottenham Hotspur Women have signed Alice Sombath from OL Lyonnes for a club-record undisclosed fee, confirming the 22-year-old France defender as their sixth and final summer signing.
That matters because it signals a clear shift in Spurs’ ambition. This is a club that finished fifth in the WSL last season now investing at a level previously associated only with the division’s established elite.
Six Years At Lyonnes, A Champions League Medal, And Now North London
We are delighted to announce the signing of Alice Sombath, subject to international clearance and work permit ✍️
🔗 https://t.co/KI8m1MyPQP pic.twitter.com/GbwX1mXRp2
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) July 21, 2026
Sombath joined Lyonnes from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020 and spent six years at one of women’s football’s most decorated clubs. In her second season she won the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and went on to collect five Division 1 Feminine titles and two Coupe de France trophies during her time there. That is the environment that shaped her, high-pressure, high-expectation, technically demanding, and it is precisely that pedigree Tottenham are now importing.
The fee has not been disclosed, but it surpasses the previous club record of more than £375,000 paid for Signe Gaupset in January. That context alone underlines how seriously Tottenham Hotspur Women are treating this window.
Head Coach Martin Ho Says The Profile Is Exactly Right
Tottenham head coach Martin Ho made clear this was not opportunism but targeted recruitment. In a statement reported by The Guardian, Ho described Sombath as an aggressive defender comfortable in possession, competitive in her duels, and driven to keep improving every day, characteristics he called really important to what the club is building. He added that she has already shown real maturity in her performances and that Spurs believe she has all the qualities to continue developing into a top player within their environment.
Sombath herself, speaking on the move, conveyed genuine excitement about the challenge ahead. She noted that the WSL is very competitive and that every game is a tough game, and framed that as the main draw. She also acknowledged Spurs’ progress, observing that they had a very good season last year, while expressing confidence that her qualities can bring something to a squad she recognises is already strong.
The Sixth Signing Completes A Summer That Says Plenty About Tottenham’s Direction
Sombath arrives alongside Shekiera Martinez, Kirsty Hanson, Victoria Pelova, Caitlin Dijkstra and Selma Panengstuen, six priority targets, all secured, all done in time for a full pre-season. That timing says plenty about the operational ambition under Ho, and about a club that rose from 11th to fifth in a single season and is not finished climbing. You can track the regulatory framework shaping this activity in our guide to the WSL transfer windows for 2026-27.
The gap to close is real. Spurs finished behind fourth-placed Manchester United and well behind champions Manchester City last season. But the direction of travel, now backed by record investment in women’s football, is unmistakable. It is a statement. Now it needs results.
