Tottenham sign France defender Alice Sombath from Lyon for club record fee

Published Jul 21, 08:00 AM UTC

Tottenham Hotspur have signed France international defender Alice Sombath from Lyon for a club record transfer fee, surpassing the previous record of approximately £375,000 paid for Norway's Signe Gaupset. The 22-year-old, who can play centre-back or right-back, spent five seasons at European giants Lyon, making 102 appearances and winning five consecutive Premiere Ligue titles as well as the 2021-22 Women's Champions League. Sombath has represented France at every youth level and featured in all of France's matches at Euro 2025, starting three group stage games. Tottenham manager Martin Ho praised her as an aggressive defender comfortable in possession. Sombath joins as part of a busy transfer window for Spurs, who have added six players including Shekeira Martinez, Kirsty Hanson, Victoria Pelova, Caitlin Dijkstra, and Selma Panengstuen. The defender expressed excitement about the competitive Women's Super League and her desire to contribute to Tottenham's progress.