Kirsty Hanson has completed a transfer from Aston Villa Women to Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee. The 28-year-old forward departs Villa after a prolific individual campaign last season, which saw her net 12 times in 22 Women's Super League matches.
This move, reported by the BBC this week, reunites Hanson with Tottenham manager Martin Ho, whom she worked under at Manchester United between 2020 and 2023. Her departure is a significant loss for an Aston Villa side that finished ninth in the final 2025 WSL table, accruing 20 points from 5 wins, 5 draws, and 12 losses. Their recent form of four losses and a win underscores the challenge of replacing a key attacker.
What did Kirsty Hanson achieve at Aston Villa?
Hanson's final season at Aston Villa Women was her most productive. Beyond her 12 league goals, she contributed to a total of 26 goals across 100 appearances for the club during her tenure. Her consistent performances were recognized with two player-of-the-season awards from the Villans. Reflecting on her time in Birmingham, Hanson said, "I've got to thank Villa so much." Her goal output was a bright spot in a difficult campaign where the team conceded 48 goals while scoring 28, finishing with a -20 goal difference.
Why did Tottenham Hotspur sign her?
Manager Martin Ho has turned to a familiar face to bolster his Tottenham attack ahead of the new WSL season, which begins on 6 September at home to West Ham. Ho's side finished fifth last term and is aiming to close a 35-point gap to champions Manchester City. Hanson brings proven WSL quality and a strong work ethic, a trait she highlighted by stating, "I might not be the most talented." She joins other new arrivals like Shekiera Martinez from West Ham, Alice Sombath from Lyon, and Victoria Pelova from Arsenal as part of Tottenham's summer rebuild.
How does this transfer affect Aston Villa?
Hanson's exit leaves a considerable void in Aston Villa Women's attacking options. The club must now find a way to compensate for the goals of a player who was directly involved in nearly half of their total league tally last season. With the new campaign imminent, the focus shifts to the existing squad and how they will adapt. The team's final league standings from 2025 show the scale of the task ahead, having ended the season 35 points behind the league leaders.
What is next for Kirsty Hanson?
The forward now prepares for her Tottenham debut, with a degree in sports coaching adding an interesting dimension to her profile. Her immediate task is to integrate quickly ahead of Spurs' opener against West Ham. For Aston Villa Women, the search for a new attacking focal point begins as they look to improve on their ninth-place finish. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our dedicated fixtures page.
