Xavi Simons forced to wait for Tottenham debut as £51.8m transfer, shirt number confirmed

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of Dutch playmaker Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, and the former Paris Saint-Germain starlet will sport an iconic shirt number in North London.

The Lilywhites have pipped Chelsea to the signing of Simons, who was initially giving priority to the Club World Cup winners but eventually grew frustrated with the Blues' inability to agree a fee with RB Leipzig.

As Chelsea turned their attention to a deal for Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho, Tottenham - who had already failed to bring Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze to the club - capitalised on the situation with a successful £51.8m bid.

Simons quickly said yes to the Tottenham project and has now been officially unveiled as Spurs' sixth signing of the window, following Kota Takai, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Mohammed Kudus and Luka Vuskovic to the club.

The 22-year-old has signed a five-year deal until the summer of 2030 and leaves Leipzig with a record of 22 goals and 24 assists in 78 appearances, winning one German Super Cup at the Red Bull Arena.

Simons speaks for first time as Tottenham player as Thomas Frank reacts to transfer

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"I'm really happy and can't wait to get going. I've been dreaming of this for a long time," Simons told the official Tottenham website. "It's a great Club and when I met the Head Coach I knew straight away that this was the right place for me.

"I will bring flair to the team but also hard work and discipline. I want to do everything I can to win, for the team and also for the fans."

Head coach Thomas Frank added: "I’m really pleased we have brought Xavi in - he is a great addition to the squad. He is still young, however he already has good experience and, over the past few years, has played a lot of games at the top level.

“Xavi has proven his ability to get goals and assists, both from the number 10 position and left-wing. He also has a great eye for his team-mates in terms of unlocking defences, and I know he will come in and be part of a good team that is already working hard together."

Simons has been bestowed with the number seven shirt in North London, inheriting the famous jersey from former captain Son Heung-min, who sported the '7' during the entirety of his 10-year Tottenham career.

Can Simons make his Tottenham debut this weekend?

Simons has been signed one day before Spurs make their return to Premier League action, as the Lilywhites welcome Bournemouth to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in gameweek three of the 2025-26 season on August 30.

However, in order for players to be eligible for the next gameweek, they need to be registered by 12pm on the Friday before the match, and Simons's transfer is still subject to the midfielder receiving international clearance and a work permit.

As a result, Simons will not be making his first appearance for the Europa League winners on Saturday, but he should be in line for his baptism when Tottenham face London rivals West Ham United on September 13 following the international break.

The 22-year-old will fill the creative voids left by the stricken James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, both of whom are currently out with knee injuries, and the former could potentially miss the entire 2025-26 campaign with his ACL issue.