Kirsty Hanson is set to become a Tottenham Hotspur player after a standout campaign at Aston Villa that established her as one of the Women's Super League's most clinical forwards. The 28-year-old Scotland international is the subject of an accepted bid, with personal terms now being finalised ahead of what looks like a done deal this month.
A season that demanded attention
Hanson finished the WSL campaign as the third-highest goalscorer in the entire division, netting 12 times in 22 appearances. Only Manchester City's Khadija Shaw and Arsenal's Alessia Russo bettered that return — company that tells its own story about the level Hanson is operating at. Villa recognised her contribution by naming her their player of the year, and the wider game took note too when she picked up the WSL Football goal-of-the-season award for a strike against West Ham.
With a year still to run on her contract at Villa Park, the Midlands club have agreed to let her move on. The fee involved has not been disclosed.
Reunion with Martin Ho at Spurs
The move carries a personal dimension as well as a professional one. Tottenham manager Martin Ho worked alongside Hanson during his time as assistant coach at Manchester United, and the noises out of north London suggest the pair are ready to link up again. Ho is in his first season at Spurs after arriving from SK Brann, and the club finished fifth in the WSL table — a platform they are clearly keen to build on.
Hanson will not be walking into an empty squad. Tottenham have already moved in the transfer window, bringing in West Ham forward Shekiera Martinez and Dutch defender Caitlin Dijkstra. Adding the WSL's third-top scorer to that group signals real ambition from a club that wants to push further up the table next term.
A big moment for Scottish women's football
Beyond the club story, Hanson's move is a boost for Scottish women's football. She has scored five goals in 44 appearances for Scotland, and a transfer to a club with genuine European aspirations can only sharpen her further ahead of what will be a demanding international schedule.
BBC Sport reported back in May that Spurs were pursuing Hanson, and the market had been watching Villa closely ever since her goals dried up — which, given the form she showed all season, they never really did. The deal appears to be moving quickly now, and Tottenham supporters will be hoping it is wrapped up well before pre-season gets under way.
For Aston Villa, losing their top scorer and player of the year is a significant blow, and the job of replacing that kind of output in the WSL market will not be straightforward. Their recruitment team will need to move decisively if they are to maintain the standard they set during the campaign just gone.
Frequently asked
- Why is Kirsty Hanson leaving Aston Villa?
- Hanson is set to join Tottenham after Spurs had a bid accepted by Villa. The 28-year-old had one year remaining on her contract, and Tottenham's interest in her has been known since May. Personal terms are being finalised.
- How many goals did Kirsty Hanson score in the WSL this season?
- Hanson scored 12 goals in 22 WSL appearances, making her the division's third-highest scorer behind Khadija Shaw and Alessia Russo. She also won Villa's player-of-the-year award and the WSL goal-of-the-season prize.
- Who is Tottenham Women's manager Martin Ho?
- Martin Ho joined Tottenham from Norwegian club SK Brann ahead of the 2024-25 season. He previously worked as assistant coach at Manchester United Women, where he also worked with Kirsty Hanson. Spurs finished fifth in the WSL in his first season in charge.