How Signe Gaupset can change everything for Spurs...without changing anything

Reunion with Martin Ho and ready-made role in setup could help young Norwegian propel Tottenham to new heights

Signe Gaupset joined Tottenham Hotspur from SK Brann last week. Credit: Tottenham Hotspur

Few young players in Europe have drawn as much attention as Gaupset. After a breakout season at Brann, where she netted 15 goals and contributed 14 assists, her move to Tottenham has fans in N17 buzzing. Her choice to follow a new, interesting project and to reunite with former coach Martin Ho, who played a key role in her development, highlights her desire to keep growing as a footballer while testing herself in one of the hardest leagues in the world. Let’s find out more about her and how she might fit into Spurs’ setup.

Individual characteristics

Gaupset stands at 173 cm with a muscular and athletic frame, possessing strength in both her lower and upper body. This allows her to shield the ball effectively, hold off opponents, and dominate shoulder-to-shoulder duels. Her combination of strength and balance makes her difficult to move off the ball even in tight spaces, while her coordination and flexibility, unusual for someone with her height and muscle mass, allow her to turn, dribble, and change direction efficiently. She excels in short bursts: her initial acceleration over the first few meters is explosive, enabling her to beat opponents in one-on-one situations. While her top speed over longer distances is more moderate, her ability to accelerate and create separation quickly makes her a constant threat in the final third.

Technically, Gaupset is ambidextrous and highly confident in possession. Her first touch is precise, and she maintains optimal body alignment when receiving the ball, which allows her to immediately assess options and exploit passing lanes. She can execute both power dribbles and skilful feints, pairing athleticism with close control to manoeuvre through congested areas. In possession, she favours quick combination play, line-breaking passes, and cutbacks from wide positions, often creating high-quality chances for teammates.

But she has long playmaking in her repertoire as well, preferring long balls and switches of play to high crosses. Her shooting is versatile: she favours powerful strikes but is also capable of placing accurate finishes or curling shots when the situation demands. She can also take all kinds of set pieces and is dangerous in and around the box, particularly on rebounds or second balls.