Why Spurs' under-the-radar buy might be summer's smartest deal

WHAT HAPPENED
Tottenham Hotspur have signed Scotland forward Kirsty Hanson from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee. Hanson, 28, has already found the net in pre-season for Spurs and joins a squad that has been reinforced across several positions this summer.

The move reunites Hanson with Martin Ho, who worked with her when he was an assistant coach at Manchester United; Ho identified her as a priority target and the club backed him in the transfer.

KEY CONTEXT
Hanson scored 12 goals in 22 Women’s Super League appearances last season, making her the league’s third-top scorer behind Khadija Shaw and Alessia Russo, despite Villa finishing ninth. Her time at Villa began with a 2022 loan that revived her confidence; across four seasons she scored 26 goals in 100 matches for the club and won two player-of-the-season awards.

Tottenham finished fifth in the WSL last term and have added several players this window, including West Ham’s top scorer Shekiera Martinez, defender Alice Sombath from Lyon and midfielder Victoria Pelova from Arsenal. Spurs begin their WSL campaign at home to West Ham on 6 September.

WHY IT MATTERS
Hanson’s arrival brings a proven goal threat who produced high output even while playing for a struggling side, which could address Tottenham’s need for more consistent scoring. The existing professional relationship with manager Martin Ho is notable: he coached her at United and believes in her fit for his methods, and Hanson has described training under him as particularly demanding. Combined with Spurs’ other summer signings, the transfer underlines the club’s intent to push up the table and target a top-three finish and Women’s Champions League qualification.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- How Hanson integrates into Tottenham’s attacking rotation given competition from new signings.
- Whether the partnership with Martin Ho’s coaching methods elevates her output compared with last season.
- Early-season form, beginning with the opener against West Ham on 6 September, and whether Spurs can convert summer recruitment into a higher league position.

KEY FACTS
- Hanson scored 12 goals in 22 WSL games last season, third-most in the division.
- She is 28 and has six goals in 48 appearances for Scotland.
- Tottenham finished fifth last season and aim to finish in the WSL top three.
- Spurs’ summer recruits include Shekiera Martinez, Alice Sombath and Victoria Pelova.
- Hanson previously worked with Martin Ho at Manchester United (Ho was assistant coach 2020–2023) and scored in her first pre-season game for Spurs.