Tottenham Hotspur officially said goodbye to 12 players on July 1, 2026, as the club undergoes a major squad overhaul following a narrow escape from relegation. Among the departures is Yves Bissouma, the £30 million signing from Brighton, who left as a free agent after his contract expired.
Mass Exodus at Spurs
The mass exodus marks the end of the 2025/26 season, with contracts expiring on June 30. July 1 is recognized as the official start of the new football season, allowing players to register with new clubs without legal overlap. Robert De Zerbi, Tottenham's third manager last season, guided the team to a 17th-place finish in the Premier League, edging out 18th-place West Ham by two points. De Zerbi has already begun reshaping the squad, allowing a host of players to leave while focusing on new signings.
One of the most notable departures is Yves Bissouma, who joined Spurs from Brighton in the summer of 2022 for a fee of £30 million. The Mali international made 111 appearances for the club but was not offered a new contract. The club confirmed his departure in a post on X, stating: "We can confirm the departure of Yves Bissouma following the conclusion of his contract. Thank you for your service and all the best for the future, Biss."
Bissouma's Decline
Bissouma's final season at Tottenham was marred by injuries. A combination of knee and ankle issues kept him out for the entire first half of the campaign. He made his first appearance on January 17, a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, and went on to feature just 11 times for Spurs across the rest of the season. He was an unused substitute in the final three Premier League matches of the campaign.
Other Departures
In addition to Bissouma, Brazilian side Bahia announced on June 26 the permanent signing of Alejo Veliz from Tottenham for £7.7 million, with the move taking effect on July 1. The Argentine striker had been on a season-long loan at Rosario Central. A further 10 players from Spurs' academy have also left the club. Under-21 players Pele Arganese-McDermott, Tyrell Ashcroft, Leo Black, Dante Cassanova, Matthew Craig, and Calum Logan have all departed due to their contracts ending. Four players from the Under-18s have also left, including Elijah Upson, who rejected a contract offer from the club. Rounding off the departures are Jamel Beggs, Samal Bangura, and Leon Myrtaj.
New Signings
Despite the exodus, Tottenham has been active in the transfer market. The club has utilized free agency to bring in Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth, Andrew Robertson from Liverpool, and Martin Dubravka from Burnley. Additionally, the £52 million signing of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton was announced last month. De Zerbi is expected to lead a new-look Spurs squad into the 2026/27 season, aiming to improve on last year's struggles.
