Victoria Pelova could be Tottenham’s best Summer Signing
When Tottenham announced the signing of Victoria Pelova from Arsenal, it may not have generated the same excitement as some of the summer’s biggest transfers.
After all, the Netherlands international arrives on a free transfer after two injury-hit seasons that limited her impact at Arsenal.
But looking beyond those setbacks, Tottenham may have secured one of the most underrated signings of the Women’s Super League summer.
Pelova joins Spurs with an impressive record. The 27-year-old has represented the Netherlands more than 70 times at international level, starred for Ajax before moving to Arsenal in 2023, and helped the Gunners lift the Women’s League Cup during her first season in England.
Her time at Arsenal, however, was interrupted by a serious ACL injury suffered while on international duty in 2024.
Recovering from an ACL injury meant Pelova returned to an Arsenal side where competition for midfield places had intensified. As a result, she found opportunities limited before the club confirmed her departure.
That sequence of events is exactly what makes this move so intriguing for Tottenham.
Rather than signing a player whose best football is behind her, Spurs have brought in someone eager to rediscover the form that once made her one of Europe’s most exciting midfielders.
New head coach Martin Ho also played a key role in convincing Pelova to make the switch across North London.
“When I had a conversation with him, he was so good. It felt immediately right to go to Spurs.”
Ho was equally enthusiastic about the signing, describing Pelova as a player who brings “real quality, intelligence and top-level experience” while expressing confidence that she still has more to offer.
Asked about her football inspiration, Pelova named former Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen, praising his creativity, humility and ability to control a game through his passing and vision.
“Christian Eriksen… He was so good. The assists, the everything. He’s such a hard worker and he’s humble.”
She also explained what she values most in her own game.
“My favourite things are giving assists, make the play go quicker or to go slower, and to know when to do that.”
Those qualities are exactly what Tottenham have been looking to add this summer.
If she rediscovers the form that once made her one of Europe’s most exciting midfielders, Tottenham may look back on this as one of their most important signings of the summer.
