Remembering our tandem signings

As we edge closer to Gareth Bale’s return to action in a Spurs shirt following his arrival from Real Madrid alongside Sergio Reguilon last month – and with Sergio having already impressed in our colours prior to the international break – we take a look back through the archives to remember some of the players who joined the Club together.

Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricardo Villa

Signed July, 1978, from Argentinian sides Huracán and Racing Club

Perhaps the pinnacle of our ‘double signings’, Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa went on to become Club legends after swapping Argentina for England in 1978.

Joining us off the back of glory at that summer’s World Cup in their homeland, where they helped La Albiceleste to the most-prized trophy in the game with victory over the Netherlands, they were sensational acquisitions by the Club with the skilful south American duo going on to make nearly 500 appearances and scoring half-a-century of goals between them in five years together in north London.

In that time, the pair earned not just their legendary status but also their place as cult heroes – especially in our 1981 FA Cup Final triumph. Along with the rest of the squad, the pair memorably sang on Chas and Dave’s cup final song ‘Ossie’s Dream’ before playing in the showpiece at Wembley. And Ricky will forever be remembered for his replay brace – especially his 76th-minute winner. Villa departed north London in 1983 but Ossie stayed on until 1988 before returning to manage us for the 1993/94 season. Ossie remains a Club Ambassador.

Simon Davies and Matthew Etherington

Signed January, 2000, from Peterborough United

Joining us as youngsters from Peterborough United at the turn of the millennium, Simon Davies and Matthew Etherington were regarded as potential stars of the future.

Operating off opposite flanks, the pair also contrasted in their attributes. Davies played on the right of midfield; he was strong and cunning, with consistency in his approach and performances. Etherington however, an out-and-out winger, had pace, trickery and always looked to beat his man.

After signing, the duo continued their development in our reserves before they both later progressed into our first team. Welshman Davies would make 147 appearances, going on to establish himself under Glenn Hoddle during the 2001/02 campaign before departing for Everton in 2005, while Etherington made 51 appearances before moving to West Ham in 2003.

Michael Dawson and Andy Reid

Signed January, 2005, from Nottingham Forest

Michael Dawson and Andy Reid would have very differing spells in our colours after joining us from Nottingham Forest in January, 2005. Irish international Reid was an exciting winger who had skill, flair and a superb first touch yet, despite a bright start at White Hart Lane, he spent just 18 months in north London before moving to Charlton Athletic.

Dawson, however, remained with us for almost a decade and made 324 appearances in the centre of our defence. It was his heart and desire which helped him succeed at the Club, showing determination and an unrelenting work ethic to rise through our ranks and was almost ever-present in our side until injuries began to flare in 2009.

A true competitor and a perfect partner for Ledley King in the middle of our back line, he helped us all the way to the League Cup Final in 2008 but missed the showpiece occasion through injury. Earning four caps for England in his time with us, the defender moved on to Hull City in 2014.

Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton

Signed July, 2009, from Sheffield United

Another duo signed for the future, Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton joined us from Sheffield United in the summer of 2009.

Both Sheffield-born right-backs, Naughton arrived as the older of the pair yet he spent the first three seasons of his Spurs career away from the Club on loan, while Walker was initially loaned back to the Blades.

The duo had pace and a willingness to get forward making them both very effective in our attack, yet it was Walker who made the biggest impact. Once he secured his place in our starting XI, he never relinquished it – aside from spells out through injury – and improved with every season. He featured over 200 times for us and was named in the PFA Team of the Year twice while in north London, before he left for Manchester City in the summer of 2017.

Naughton, meanwhile, made over 70 appearances in our colours, sometimes at left-back, and departed for Swansea City in 2015.

Ben Davies and Michel Vorm

Signed July, 2014, from Swansea City

Over the last six years, Ben Davies and Michel Vorm have been key players for us both on and off the pitch.

Joining from Swansea City in the summer of 2014 with Gylfi Sigurdsson moving in the opposite direction, the duo were the first signings during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure.

An important figure in our dressing room, Dutch international goalkeeper Vorm joined us to provide competition for captain Hugo Lloris and deputised for our number one primarily in the cup campaigns – he made 48 appearances over two spells at the Club before departing at the end of last season.

Ben, on the other hand, is still going strong with us in N17. A consistent and dependable operator at left-back with a great positional sense and awareness, the Welsh international is nearing his 200th appearance for us.

Alanna Kennedy and Shelina Zadorsky

Signed August, 2020, from American club Orlando Pride

In the recent summer transfer window, Spurs Women made significant additions to their squad with the double loan signings of Alanna Kennedy and Shelina Zadorksy from USA’s National Women’s Soccer League outfit Orlando Pride.

Both vastly experienced international players with Australia and Canada respectively, Kennedy is a versatile competitor who is usually deployed in midfield while Zadorsky plays in defence.

Appearing at three World Cups between them and earning a combined total of 143 international caps, the pair have both plied their trade in the biggest leagues in Australia and the USA and both made their first starts for us in our 1-0 Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture against Everton last month, with Alanna having made her debut off the bench in the opening-day draw with West Ham. Forward Alex Morgan also joined us this summer from Orlando Pride, a few weeks after her former team-mates arrived.

Gareth Bale and Sergio Reguilon

Signed September, 2020, from Real Madrid

And so to our most recent double arrivals. A modern-day Club great, Gareth Bale returned to us on loan from Real Madrid last month, some seven years after leaving for the Bernabeu, having lit up our team with some magnificent goalscoring displays across 203 appearances between 2007 and 2013.

He brought a friend with him from Real, with 23-year-old left-back Sergio Reguilon joining us on a contract until 2025, having won the Europa League last season while on loan at Sevilla.

The Spanish international has already made three appearances in our colours, shining on his debut in the penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and featuring as a substitute in the 7-2 Europa League play-off win against Maccabi Haifa before making his Premier League bow in our incredible 6-1 win at Old Trafford last time out.

As we prepare for Sunday's return to Premier League action against West Ham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 4.30pm), take a look at our exclusive Spurs TV footage as Gareth steps up his training programme at Hotspur Way during the international break, with recent loan signing Carlos Vinicius also involved...