Tottenham Hotspur

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Joao Palhinha is "hungry" for his return to English football in the "most competitive league in the world", after joining Thomas Frank's Tottenham on a season-long loan.

"I'm really, really happy," 30-year-old Palhinha said. "It's such an amazing feeling that I had when I arrived here at the training ground and I'm really motivated for the next steps, so I just want to enjoy it with my team-mates, start to work with the coach and start to win matches with this club.

"I think my type of game, it belongs to the Premier League. I've always said that I really enjoyed the two seasons that I had at Fulham, it was a dream come true and probably one of the best memories I have in my football career belonged to the Premier League.

"I really enjoyed playing against top teams, also against Tottenham in that moment and now I can be part of this, such a great club.

"I'm a player with a lot of hunger to win tackles, as you know. It's one of my main focuses in the game, to try to help my team-mates without the ball to recover as soon as possible and of course when we have the ball, try to play simple, to try to give the team the best options. If I need to choose a word to describe me, it's going to be a 'hungry' player for sure.

"Personally, I just want to play, to show again what I am capable of doing here in the Premier League and at this top club. As a collective, as a team, I just want to try to win titles. I think that we have all the potential here to do something really special.

"Of course, it's not easy, we all know that this is the most competitive league in the world but with all the potential that we have in the team, I'm really motivated to try to achieve some really good things for this club."

What do you make of Spurs' new midfielder?

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Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

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Tottenham are closing in on the loan signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha. The destructive number six joined the German giants in a £42.3m deal last summer and called it "the happiest day of my life" – although the move has since soured due to injury and a lack of playing time.

Palhinha has started just 10 games in all competitions for Bayern in the last year, prompting a potential move back to the Premier League where he excelled during his two seasons with Fulham between 2022 and 2024.

The 34-cap Portugal international proved to be a real bargain after swapping Sporting Lisbon for Craven Cottage for around £17m, comfortably topping the Premier League rankings for tackles with a total of 300 during his initial two-season stint – 109 more than any other player. He also ranked sixth for interceptions (92).

His combative style of play, however, does carry risks. The 30-year-old received 27 yellow cards across 2022-23 and 2023-24 – at least five more than anyone else.

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Tottenham are interested in signing Real Madrid and Brazil winger Rodrygo, 24, as a replacement for their South Korean forward Son Heung-min, 33. (AS - in Spanish), external

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Son Heung-min played his final game for Tottenham in a 1-1 pre-season friendly draw with Newcastle in his homeland of South Korea on Sunday.

Brennan Johnson opened the scoring early on for Spurs and paid tribute to his departing captain by performing Son's trademark celebration.

Harvey Barnes then equalised for the Magpies before the break.

Thomas Frank will be anxiously awaiting updates on the fitness of James Maddison who was stretchered off late on with a serious-looking injury.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked how you were feeling about the departure of Son Heung-min.

You told us:

Diana: A True Spurs legend. I am so sad he is leaving hopefully he can come back and get a great send off. Hope he does well in the MLS but wish he wasn't going.

Christopher: To me, Son Heung-min is, and always will be, 'one of our own' because he represents everything that is good about Tottenham Hotspur, everything the club traditionally stands for especially, in this sometimes strange age. Perhaps his loyalty, outward love of the club and continuous endeavour should be noted above all else - a rarity in the modern era - or his abundance of skill. But it is his demeanour both on and off the pitch that will see him celebrated forevermore not only by supporters of Spurs but, I should think, by fans of all other clubs across Great Britain and the world.

A lovely chap, whose smile and distinctive laughter alone would, more than likely, unite a room full of strangers. He not only had time to give to absolutely anyone but a genuine desire to do so. Very few people have believed in Tottenham Hotspur and the community quite like he has and his absence from N17 will be widely felt for some time. There can be no doubt whatsoever that he is a 'legend' and I will miss him dearly.

Jonathan: Sonny has been immense for Spurs and I'm so happy he capped it with the trophy. It's probably the right time to go leaving with his legacy and our gratitude. Will always be remembered as a legend!

Thom: Many players score and make great goals but very few are distinguished by the ability to express joy in playing the game and to inspire joy in fellow players and fans. Sonny did just that and his legacy will endure.

Dan: I admit I'm quite sad at the news. Son has been more than a great player for us. He's been a great Captain and ambassador. But at least he's going on his terms. That's the very least he deserves and Spurs fans should be grateful to have watched him at his prime. Seeing him lift the Europa League trophy, that amazing goal against Burnley, his partnership with Kane. Thank you for the great memories Sonny!! You'll be dearly missed!

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

After 454 appearances and 173 goals, Son Heung-min is moving to pastures new a decade after Mauricio Pochettino brought him to north London from Bayer Leverkusen.

The South Korea forward was the most expensive Asian signing in the Premier League when the then 23-year-old arrived in 2015 in a deal reportedly worth £22.5m.

"We love players who give so much to this club," Micky Hazard, an FA Cup (1982) and Uefa Cup (1984) winner with Spurs, says.

"Sonny will always be worshipped in these parts. When he first arrived, I didn't know much about him. Ten years on, he's leaving a Spurs legend."

Four days after beating Manchester United in a European final, great names from Tottenham's past formed a guard of honour for soon-to-depart manager Ange Postecoglou's side before the home game with Brighton on the final day of the season.

Ossie Ardiles, Pat Jennings, Keith Burkinshaw and Martin Chivers were among those who lined up on the pitch - along with Hazard.

"Sonny came up to each and every one of us, shook our hands, and said: 'Now I'm a legend'," adds former Spurs midfielder Hazard.

"Despite everything he achieved in 10 years at Spurs, he still didn't believe he was a legend until he won a trophy. I think there is something special about that, something beautiful. It says so much about his character."

How do you feel about Son's departure?

Read more of Neil Johnston's feature here

It is the end of an era as Tottenham captain Son Heung-min says he will leave the club this summer after 10 years.

The 33-year-old's final game will be a friendly against Newcastle in his homeland of South Korea on Sunday.

He stands on 173 goals in 454 appearances and says leaving was "the most difficult one I have made in my career".

"I came to north London as a kid - a very young age, a young boy came to London who even didn't speak English," said Son, who is in negotiations with Major League Soccer (MLS) side Los Angeles FC.

"Leaving this club as a grown man is a very, very proud moment.

"I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change - 10 years is a long time.

"I spent a lot of time reflecting on whether I wanted to experience football in a different environment, and I had those conversations with myself over and over again."

So Tottenham fans, send us your thoughts, feelings and emotions as 'Sonny' departs

Tottenham are in talks with Bayern Munich over a loan deal for Portugal international Joao Palhinha, 30, as they look to bring the former Fulham midfielder back to the Premier League. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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Image source, Richarlison Instagram

It may only have been a friendly - won 1-0 by Tottenham - but it seems there's always room for a little banter between players.

Spurs striker Richarlison has tagged Arsenal defender Gabriel in a photo with his trophy for winning man of the match. Gabriel responded with an image of three player of the match trophies, all earned against Tottenham. He duly tagged the striker in the post.

Image source, Gabriel

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Tottenham boss Thomas Frank spoke to the media in Hong Kong on Thursday, after his side's 1-0 victory against Arsenal.

On reaping the rewards of intense training, he said: "It feels very pleasing of course. It's clear that this was not a friendly, it felt like a competitive match. If you saw it, it was competitive and if you played in it, it was very competitive. But some of the bits we've been working hard on is the combination of the defensive organisation - so high pressure, middle and low - so there's clear principles.

"As well as the desire to keep a clean sheet because that gives you a big opportunity to win football matches."

On acclimatising to the role as head coach during pre-season, he said: "You think you have a good idea [about working for Spurs] but you don't really know. You come here and see how important it is to the fans and you understand more and more how big of a club Tottenham is and also the importance of the club."

On deciding the captaincy, he said: "That is to be confirmed. I haven't taken a decision yet, I'd like to understand the group and the players a little bit more. I know I need to make a decision before the first official game against PSG in the Super Cup and I will do that.

"It was natural for [Cristian] Romero and Son [Heung-min] to be captains so I kept it how it was."

Image source, Andy

On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with Spurs and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

You have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Andy:

"It was the end of the 1960s; I was eight years old and it was Jimmy Greaves and that sherbet-white top, the emblem on it and the name 'Hotspurs' that did it for me. All the other teams were just City, United or Town.

"Then Martin Peters came in (for Greaves) and there was Chivers and Mullery and Gilzean. I soon got to realise that Spurs were a bit special - a team that put style and panache above the need to win trophies... and that was embodied more than ever during the 1980s with Hoddle, Waddle, Ardiles and a bit later Gazza.

"Then came Ginola, Berbatov, Modric, Bale, Dembele, Dele Alli, Kane - all ballers but always underachieving. But give me good, creative football played by stylish players over anything else.

"That's me in a now faded photo, aged eight in my Spurs kit I got for Christmas, playing in the snow in January 1969."

So join the conversation and send your best photos about why you love Spurs.

Your first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip?

Send us your pictures and stories

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Brentford striker Yoane Wissa continues to train away from the first team amid uncertainty over his future and interest from multiple rival clubs.

The 28-year-old arrived at training on time before meeting manager Keith Andrews and sporting director Phil Giles to indicate his preference to continue training alone.

Wissa has previously threatened he will never play for Brentford again in past talks with Giles amid reports a £25m bid from Newcastle was rejected last week.

Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are also believed to be interested in the Congo international.

Andrews is preparing his team to face QPR on Saturday which will also be the first time he speaks about the situation publicly.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham claimed a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the first north London derby outside of the United Kingdom.

Thomas Frank's side hit the woodwork three times in the first half at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, before midfielder Pape Matar Sarr's stunning 45th-minute winner from the halfway line.

New Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres did make his first appearance, coming off the bench in the second half, but was unable to prevent Spurs ending Mikel Arteta's side's perfect pre-season record.

Mikel Arteta has named a strong starting XI for the first north London derby outside the UK at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.

New addition Viktor Gyokeres misses out on making his full debut, but could still make an appearance after being named on a stacked bench.

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Norgaard, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Havertz.

For Tottenham, Son Heung-min is on the bench alongside James Maddison, who could make his first pre-season appearance.

Spurs XI: Vicario, Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Spence, Bergvall, Sarr, Bentancur, Odobert, Johnson, Richarlison.

Follow live coverage here when the game gets under way