The Hard Tackle ranks the top five signings by Tottenham Hotspur during Daniel Levy’s time as the North London club’s executive chairman.
significant period in Tottenham Hotspur’s long and storied history has come to an end. Daniel Levy is no longer at the North London club after calling time on his 25-year reign as the executive chairman on Thursday. He made an emotional announcement, which appeared on Tottenham’s website.
He said, “I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees. We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level. More than that, we have built a community.”
“I was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest people in this sport, from the team at Lilywhite House and Hotspur Way to all the players and managers over the years. I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately.”
Levy’s time with Tottenham yielded significant commercial success, with Tottenham being one of the most profitable clubs in the world while yielding a positive net spend in most transfer windows. They also moved to the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, an envy of other Premier League clubs. However, they could not win trophies regularly, with the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League triumph ending a long wait of nearly two decades for a title.
The lack of success on the pitch created discontent among fans, while failure to become a regular face in the UEFA Champions League also rubbed many the wrong way. That eventually changed, with Tottenham finishing in the top four almost every season when Mauricio Pochettino was in charge of the first-team squad.
Nevertheless, irrespective of how one feels about Daniel Levy, he was integral to the North London club’s development in the last quarter of a century, and his departure is a significant moment in Premier League history. Levy was notorious for his negotiation skills in the market, and with that in mind, The Hard Tackle discusses his five best signings as the Tottenham Hotspur executive chairman.
Gareth Bale
We begin our list with Tottenham Hotspur’s record sale, with Daniel Levy overseeing a departure that filled the North London club’s coffers spectacularly. While the Lilywhites did not utilise the funds from his exit as well as they would have liked, the player’s development and subsequent money recouped make him arguably the best player Daniel Levy signed during his time with Tottenham.
Bale transformed Tottenham’s trajectory and reputation in European football during his first spell. Signed from Southampton as a relatively unknown 17-year-old left-back for around £10 million in 2007, the Welshman’s rapid development into a world-class winger epitomises the club’s ability under Levy to identify and nurture elite talent. His electrifying pace and match-winning performances made him a fan favourite and garnered global attention for Tottenham.
Bale’s evolution at Tottenham was nothing short of remarkable. Transitioning from a struggling defender to a superstar winger, he scored spectacular goals and consistently delivered in high-pressure moments. He reached the pinnacle of his time at Tottenham in the 2012/13 season, earning both PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year honours in the same season, an achievement that solidified his status as one of the league’s most outstanding talents.
The legendary attacker then repaid Tottenham handsomely when he joined Real Madrid in 2013 for a then-world-record fee of £85 million. It was a move that symbolised Levy’s reputation as a shrewd negotiator. The transfer generated a staggering profit for Tottenham and demonstrated the club’s ability to maximise value from player development. The proceeds from his sale enabled further investment in the squad, directly aiding Tottenham’s continued growth and stability in the upper echelons of English football.
Bale’s presence, both during his first spell and on his emotional loan return in 2020, resonated with fans and inspired a new generation of Tottenham players and supporters. His extraordinary rise mirrored the club’s evolution under Levy, and his legacy is not just in memorable goals but in making Tottenham a team respected on the global stage. So, Gareth Bale undoubtedly stands as an enduring symbol of Daniel Levy’s transformative era at Tottenham Hotspur.
Son Heung-min
Son Heung-min stands out as one of the finest signings made during Daniel Levy’s tenure, consistently delivering world-class performances while breaking barriers for Asian footballers in Europe. Arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, Son’s impact at Tottenham was both immediate and enduring, as he established himself as a vital attacking force and a fan favourite for his flair, work rate, and finishing.
The South Korean attacker’s exceptional talent allowed him to regularly score and create goals, taking on leadership responsibilities as well, most recently as club captain. Son’s on-field achievements are historic, as he became the first Asian player to reach 100 Premier League goals, amassed more than 150 goals in all competitions for Spurs, and was crucial to the team’s memorable achievements on the pitch.
Beyond individual brilliance, Son’s influence extended to his professionalism and charisma off the pitch, serving as a bridge between the club and a growing international fanbase, especially across Asia. He embodied Levy’s strategy of signing not only high-calibre players but also global ambassadors, exponentially raising Tottenham’s global profile during his stint.
He capped off an exceptional spell by winning the UEFA Europa League, etching himself in club history as the captain who delivered an elusive trophy. However, Son Heung-min’s value to Tottenham extends beyond statistics and trophies; his story is one of relentless improvement and loyal service, making him a symbol of Tottenham’s ambitions and identity in the modern era. His time at Spurs under Levy will be remembered for bringing the club closer to silverware, inspiring fans around the world, and helping set new records in English and European football.
Luka Modric
Now we talk about the second Real Madrid legend who rose in prominence at Tottenham. Luka Modric stands as one of the most influential signings of the Daniel Levy era at Tottenham Hotspur, not only for his technical brilliance but also for his enormous effect on the club’s ambitions.
Modric made his mark with his exceptional vision and passing range, qualities that elevated Spurs’ style and control in midfield. Despite scepticism about his size and suitability for English football, the Croat adapted rapidly and became an indispensable figure, orchestrating attacking moves and helping the club break into the Premier League’s top four.
The veteran playmaker’s impact extended well beyond individual performances; Modric picked up the Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year award at the end of the 2010/11 season. His creative spark and ball retention allowed Tottenham to secure consecutive strong league finishes and qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in nearly five decades, a transformative feat that marked a new era of credibility for the club.
Modric’s eventual transfer to Real Madrid in 2012 for a fee of over £30 million underscored both his immense value and Daniel Levy’s reputation for negotiation. The transfer was handled with the insistence that the North London club would only let go of their prized asset for the right club and the right price, and the deal not only highlighted the Lilywhites’ as a club nurturing world-class talent but also showcased Levy’s tough but fair approach in the transfer market.
Meanwhile, Modric’s legacy at Tottenham is enduring, as he is remembered fondly by supporters for both his historic contributions and the long-term impact he had on elevating the club’s standing in English and European football. The Croat’s time in North London signalled a shift in expectation and identity for Tottenham, aligning the club with the ambition, quality, and professional standards that have characterised their best moments under Daniel Levy.
Dimitar Berbatov
While seeing a name like Dimitar Berbatov over icons such as Robbie Keane, Christian Eriksen, and Hugo Lloris may be surprising, the former Bulgarian striker is rightly one of the standout signings of the Daniel Levy era at Tottenham Hotspur.
Praised for his elegance, technical quality, and decisive contributions, Berbatov cost Tottenham just under £11 million when he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in 2006. The move signalled Tottenham’s ambition to attract genuine international talent and added a new level of sophistication to the club’s attacking play. Such was his class and intelligence that Berbatov quickly asserted himself as one of the Premier League’s most gifted strikers, finding himself in the PFA Team of the Year after his debut.
During his two full seasons with Tottenham, Berbatov amassed 46 goals in 102 appearances across all competitions, a remarkable strike rate that helped push Tottenham into European contention and secure the 2007/08 League Cup, their first major trophy in nearly a decade. Such contributions, combined with his deft touch, aerial prowess, and ability to execute game-defining moments made him a linchpin of the team’s attack. The partnership he formed with Robbie Keane remains one of the most celebrated in club history, and his memorable goals are etched in Tottenham folklore.
Berbatov’s impact was not limited to statistics or silverware; his style of play raised the standard for those around him and inspired teammates and supporters alike. His languid but effective approach demonstrated a blend of artistry and efficiency seldom seen in English football at the time, making him a benchmark for quality signings during the Levy era.
His performances attracted attention across Europe, ultimately culminating in a high-profile transfer to Manchester United for nearly triple the amount he cost Tottenham, a deal that emphasised Levy’s business acumen in transfer negotiations. The Berbatov saga proved transformative for Tottenham both on and off the pitch, combining exceptional individual ability with tangible team success and financial gain.
Cristian Romero
While Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld were viable candidates for the final section, Cristian Romero firmly deserves his place among the most transformative signings of the Daniel Levy era at Tottenham. The Argentine international took no time in establishing himself as a defensive leader.
Romero’s stint has coincided with Tottenham’s renewed push to solidify their backline and compete for major honours. His strong character, aggressive defending, able leadership, and ball-playing ability immediately elevated standards at the North London club, earning plaudits from both teammates and managers.
Romero’s decisive impact has been etched in Tottenham history, as he was instrumental in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League triumph, their first major trophy in 17 years and their first continental honour in over four decades. As captain during the final, Romero’s Player of the Match performance made a statement. His leadership during this run not only ended a long-standing trophy drought but also helped shift the club’s mentality towards belief and resilience in big matches.
Beyond his defensive excellence, Romero’s influence at Tottenham extends to his role as captain since 2025 following the departure of Son Heung-min. He is widely respected in the dressing room for his professionalism and standards in training, as cited by new manager Thomas Frank, and represents the embodiment of the club’s ambition to blend established international quality with strong leadership.
