Tottenham Sign France Defender Alice Sombath from Lyon
Tottenham have underlined their growing ambition in the women’s game by landing France international Alice Sombath from Lyon for a club-record fee.
The 22-year-old defender joins after five seasons with the European powerhouse, where she made 102 appearances and stacked her CV with silverware. The fee is undisclosed and the length of her contract has not been revealed, but the scale of the move is clear: this is Spurs’ biggest investment yet in a single player, surpassing the deal that brought Norway international Signe Gaupset to north London for around £375,000 last year.
From Lyon’s trophy machine to Tottenham’s project
Sombath arrives with the pedigree of a serial winner. At Lyon, she collected five consecutive domestic league titles and was part of the squad that lifted the 2021-22 Women's Champions League, learning her trade in one of the most competitive environments in world football.
Now she swaps that dominance for a different kind of challenge: the week-in, week-out intensity of the Women’s Super League.
"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," she said. She has watched Spurs’ rise from afar and believes she can add to it. "I saw that Spurs had a very good season last year. My qualities can bring something to the team, even though I know they already have a lot."
That confidence is backed by her journey. Sombath came through Paris FC’s academy before joining Paris St-Germain’s youth system, then made the jump to Lyon in 2020. She has represented France at every level from under-16s to the senior squad and featured in all of France’s matches at Euro 2025, starting three times in the group stage.
A defender built for the modern WSL
Tottenham are not just buying a name; they are buying versatility. Sombath can operate at centre-back or right-back, giving head coach Martin Ho options in how he shapes his back line.
"She's a player we've followed closely for some time and one who fits the profile of what we're building here," Ho said. He highlighted the maturity she has already shown at the highest level and the scope for further growth. "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. This is another important addition as we continue building for the future. We can't wait to get started with Alice and welcome her into the group."
Aggressive without the ball, composed with it, and tested in European competition: it is exactly the profile clubs now crave in defenders tasked with playing out under pressure in the WSL.
Spurs move early and with intent
Sombath’s arrival is part of a clear, coherent window from Tottenham rather than a late scramble. She becomes the sixth new signing of the summer, joining Shekeira Martinez, Kirsty Hanson, Victoria Pelova, Caitlin Dijkstra and Selma Panengstuen.
The pattern is obvious. Youth, upside, technical quality, and players comfortable in high-tempo, possession-based football. Spurs have identified their targets and landed them early, giving Ho time to mould a squad that can push on from last season.
Tottenham have made their move. The question now is how far this new-look side, anchored by a record signing from Lyon’s winning machine, can push the established order in the WSL.
