Tottenham Hotspur Football Club announced on its official website the signing of Dutch international Xavi Simons. According to media reports, the transfer fee amounts to 60 million euros. Tottenham stated that the transfer is still subject to the final confirmation of the international transfer certificate and work permit. The 22-year-old midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the club and will wear the No. 7 jersey, a number symbolic of the team's core player.
Simons expressed great anticipation for the transfer after signing, saying, “I am truly delighted and can’t wait to start this new journey. This is a moment I have dreamed of. The club is magnificent, and right after meeting with the head coach, I immediately realized this is the perfect place for me. I will bring creativity to the team, while also giving my all and maintaining discipline. I hope to fight with every ounce of my strength for the team and the fans to secure victories.”
Head coach Thomas Frank sang the praises of the new signing, commenting, “I am absolutely thrilled with Xavi Simons’ arrival—he is undoubtedly a vital addition to the team. Although he is still young, he has already accumulated considerable experience on the top stage. He can play both as a No. 10 and a left winger; he can score goals as well as provide assists, and he possesses exceptional overall vision to break through the opposition’s defense. I believe he will integrate into the team quickly and become a key member of this united, hard-fighting squad.”
Xavi Simons has had a remarkable career journey. He began his footballing started at Spain’s Club Deportivo Thader, before joining the youth academies of FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). At the age of 17, he made his professional debut for PSG in the Coupe de France. Early in his career, he won both the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France with the team.
It was the 2022/23 season that truly thrust him into the spotlight of European football. He returned to the Netherlands to join PSV Eindhoven, scoring on his debut to help the team claim the Johan Cruijff Shield (Dutch Super Cup). Throughout the season, he delivered an outstanding performance: he claimed the Eredivisie Golden Boot with 19 goals, was named the league’s Young Player of the Season, and helped PSV lift the KNVB Cup (Dutch Cup). Such brilliant form prompted PSG to re-sign him in 2023, but he was subsequently loaned to Bundesliga powerhouse RB Leipzig.
At Leipzig, Simons continued his impressive form. He helped the team win the DFL-Supercup (German Super Cup) on his debut. Over the entire season, he contributed to 25 goals (goals + assists) across all competitions and was selected into the Bundesliga Team of the Season. With his speed, creativity, and composure in front of goal, Simons has quickly established himself as one of the most promising attacking midfielders in European football.
On the international stage, Simons has also made his mark in Dutch football history. He came on as a substitute in the Netherlands’ Round of 16 match against the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, becoming the youngest player in the history of the Dutch national team to feature in a World Cup knockout match. At the 2024 UEFA European Championship, he helped the Netherlands reach the semi-finals. Currently, he has earned 28 caps for the Dutch national team and scored 5 goals.
