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Why Spurs’ under-the-radar buy might be summer’s smartest dealImage source, Tottenham Hotspur FCImage caption, Kirsty Hanson scored in her first game for Tottenham during pre-seasonByEmma Sanders
A number of stars from overseas have joined the Women’s Super League this summer – but a move that has gone slightly under the radar could turn out to be more astute than them all.
Kirsty Hanson has swapped Aston Villa for Tottenham and there is reason to believe Spurs have quietly pulled off a recruitment masterstroke.
The 28-year-old was the third-highest goalscorer in the WSL last season despite the Scotland forward’s side labouring in ninth place in the table.
With 12 goals in 22 matches, only PFA player of the year Khadija Shaw and England striker Alessia Russo scored more than her.
So why did Hanson make the move and how does she intend to take ambitious Tottenham – who start their WSL season on 6 September at home to West Ham – to another level this season?
It’s true to say that Hanson’s career really burst into life last season, but she had been steadily progressing throughout her successful four-year spell at Aston Villa.
Prior to that, she played a key role in Manchester United’s development as a professional women’s team before then struggling for regular game time.
When Villa brought her in initially on loan in 2022, Hanson was low on confidence and needed a boost.
With 26 goals in 100 appearances for Villa and two player-of-the-season awards, it’s fair to say that happened.
“I’ve got to thank Villa so much. They know that I left on good terms. I really enjoyed my time,” Hanson told BBC Sport.
“Everyone there helped me boost my confidence again. Hopefully, I can just build on that now, but I’m not putting pressure on myself.
“It was obviously a very tough decision to leave Villa but just looking at Spurs, you could see their ambition and each season they have been improving.
“When they appointed Martin [Ho] as manager, I think that was a big statement because he is one of the best coaches I’ve worked with.”
Image source, Tottenham Hotspur FCKirsty Hanson has scored six goals in 48 Scotland appearances
Hanson worked with Ho during his time as assistant coach at United between 2020 and 2023.
He made Hanson a key target in this transfer window, and the club backed him by buying the striker for an undisclosed fee.
“I know he gets the best out of me with the detail he puts in. I really think that will push me further on in my career,” added Hanson.
“The signings Tottenham have made shows they really want to push on and win things. I want to achieve that while I’m here.
“Training’s been really tough. It was probably one of the toughest pre-seasons I’ve done so far. Martin is challenging us, trying to push us to our limits.
“That’s what I really wanted, because I needed a challenge. I don’t just want to be signed because they think I’m good, I want them to improve me.”
Having finished fifth last season, Tottenham are hoping to break into the WSL’s top three and qualify for the Women’s Champions League.
As well as Hanson, they have signed West Ham’s top-scorer Shekiera Martinez, talented France defender Alice Sombath from Lyon and creative midfielder Victoria Pelova from rivals Arsenal this summer.
It means there will be fierce competition for a place in the starting XI – something Hanson is relishing.
“I’m definitely comfortable [in the WSL] now but I still don’t see myself as one of the best. I’m very critical of myself,” she reported.
“It’s going to be tough. I’m not expecting anything. My main aim is just to be better because I’ve got so many levels to go to. Martin knows that as well.
“I knew the level of players that were here. I’m just so excited to learn from them. I’m also here to help others, because that’s what I’ve done at every club.
“I might not be the most talented but I’ve got a lot of fight and hunger in me. I literally run through a brick wall for my team. Hopefully I’ve showed them that.”
Hanson’s quality is unquestionable. Last season, she netted 43% of Villa’s total goals and had the best shots on target ratio (50%) of the top-five goalscorers in the league.
She not only scored the bulk of Villa’s goals, but only two team-mates created more chances than Hanson’s 16 – and she had the most touches in the opposition box.
Her work-rate was evident too, as Hanson ranked among the top performers in her position in most defensive actions including tackling and interceptions.
The Scotland forward says she has also matured off the pitch and has a degree in sports coaching she hopes to put to good use.
Asked about where specifically she has developed, Hanson reported: “I know what to do at different points in the game. I know how to calm players down.
“Previously when I worked with Martin, I was younger and I wouldn’t have been able to cope with that as much. But now I’ve definitely matured a lot.”
Image source, Tottenham Hotspur FCKirsty Hanson was among the leaders in most attacking stats last season
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