Tottenham announce signing of former Real Madrid and Manchester City winger

Tottenham Hotspur have today announced the signing of Matildas star and ex-Manchester City player Hayley Raso, subject to international clearance and work permit, after her departure from Real Madrid in June.

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Raso, 29, is Spurs’ fifth arrival of the summer, signing on until 2026, and brings over a decade of club and international experience spanning the A-League, American NWSL, Barclays Women’s Super League, and Liga F. She has previously played in England for Everton, where she reached the 2020 Women’s FA Cup Final, and Manchester City, where she scored nine goals in 29 appearances and won the 2021/22 Women’s League Cup.

The winger was also part of the history-making Matildas side that reached the semi-finals of their home World Cup in 2023, scoring twice in their group stage game against Canada and once in the round of 16 against Denmark. She has made 82 appearances for her nation and scored 19 goals.

As well as the Women’s League Cup in the UK, Raso’s personal trophy cabinet includes two FFA Cup of Nations titles with Australia, the NWSL Championship and Shield, and the A-League title.

Raso spent last season with Real Madrid, making 28 appearances and scoring four goals in Liga F. She departed in June, saying in an Instagram post that “due to the limit on foreign players in Spain, it’s time for me to move on to a new adventure.”

She becomes the third Australian in Robert Vilahamn’s squad, joining Charli Grant and fellow summer arrival Clare Hunt, and takes on the number eight shirt.

Raso said she was “absolutely delighted” to join Spurs, adding in an interview with the club: “I wanted to be back in this league, back at this level and Spurs was the team that I chose to do that with.

“I’d say I’m pretty versatile, super determined, I pretty much give 100% at all times, fast paced, I like to press, I like to run at players, and hopefully this season get a couple of goals and assists as well.”

Spurs enjoyed a successful first season under Vilahamn in the last campaign, finishing 6th in the league and reaching their first Women’s FA Cup final. Raso will compete for a place in the forward line alongside the likes of Beth England, Jess Naz, Martha Thomas and Celin Bizet.

The WSL transfer window closes on 13th September before Spurs begin their WSL campaign at home to newly-promoted Crystal Palace on 22nd September.