Spurs on the Rise with New Signing Signe Gaupset
By Yash Thakur
Nov 23, 2025, 05:00 AM ET
After a disappointing last season where they finished 11th in the Women’s Super League (WSL) with a mere 20 points from 22 matches, Tottenham Hotspur are showing signs of improvement under the guidance of new head coach Martin Ho. With 16 points from their first nine games this season and four clean sheets, they currently rank fifth in the standings—twice the number of clean sheets they secured the entire previous season.
The team, which welcomed Ho from Norwegian club Brann, has added several talented players to its roster, including Toko Koga and Cathinka Tandberg. They are set to make another significant move in January, acquiring 20-year-old Norway international Signe Gaupset from Brann for a reported club-record fee of £378,000 (€430,000), allowing her to reunite with her former manager.
Gaupset rose to prominence after joining IL Sandviken (now known as Brann) before her 16th birthday in 2021, assisting her team in clinching a domestic double the following year, where she made a significant impact in the cup final, scoring two goals and providing an assist.
Her talent was further showcased in the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2023-24, particularly in standout performances against OL Lyonnes. She was named the best player in the Norwegian league this year, tallying 15 goals and 14 assists across 26 Toppserien matches—an impressive increase from her previous season’s total of 14 goal contributions.
Making her senior international debut for Norway in 2024, Gaupset delivered remarkable performances at Euro 2025 earlier this summer, contributing to four goals against Iceland—scoring two and assisting two. She has emerged as a vital player for both club and country, playing a crucial role in the build-up and chance creation.
Playing Style
Gaupset is a dynamic talent who can excel on both the wings and in central midfield. She effectively influences the game in transition, seamlessly contributing to both defensive strategies and offensive threats in the final third.
Strengths
The 20-year-old showcases impressive technical skills and ambidextrous abilities. Her light touch and quick runs enable her to break through defenses, while her striking power makes her a scoring threat from various distances.
Standing 5-foot-8 and having competed against boys until the age of 14, Gaupset possesses a physical advantage, allowing her to be effective in duels. Her standout skill is her ball-carrying ability, often driving the ball forward effortlessly, with agile changes in direction that make her difficult to defend against. Her versatility allows her to create opportunities, whether cutting inside or attacking the byline.
Assistant coach Knut Slatleim describes her as having “an abnormal determination,” as she consistently seeks moments to contribute to her team’s play. Her shooting accuracy is remarkable; recent performances, including a brace against Japan in October, highlight her capacity to score with precision.
Areas for Development
At only 20, Gaupset still has room for growth, particularly regarding the precision and timing of her final balls. While she excels at finding passing opportunities, refining her decision-making could elevate her game to that of standout players like Vicky Lopez from Barcelona and Linda Caicedo of Real Madrid. Additionally, increasing her impact throughout the entire match duration is another goal.
Integration at Spurs
Having outgrown her role at Brann, Spurs present an ideal next step for Gaupset as she transitions from Toppserien to the WSL, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her move to an even larger club in the future.
Tottenham has made impressive signings in recent transfer windows, but there are still areas needing reinforcement, particularly in attack. Currently, they rank low in shots and expected goals (npxG) and among the lowest for touches in the penalty area.
Under Ho’s strategy focused on possession, the team has had to rely on its defensive strength to earn points, ranking first in the WSL for blocks and yet to concede a shot-triggering error this season. However, the defensive-first mentality necessitates significant offensive contributions for long-term success. Although Tandberg’s addition alleviated some dependency on Beth England for goals, chance creation from the wings remains an area for improvement.
Gaupset’s addition solves these challenges by providing creative options and scoring power from both midfield and the wings. While she typically excels in the attacking No. 8 role, she may need to address existing gaps on the flanks initially. With Ho’s understanding of her talents, her transition should be fairly seamless.
Ultimately, Spurs gain a capable creator and scorer who will alleviate pressure on their strikers, positioning the team for a bright future as they strive to ascend to greater heights in the league.
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