Ajax Close to Signing Free Agent Yves Bissouma After Tottenham Exit
Yves Bissouma is nearing a move to Ajax after becoming a free agent on leaving Tottenham Hotspur in June, with the Mali midfielder in Amsterdam to complete an agreement expected to run until the end of the season.
Key takeaways
- Ajax’s proposed deal for the 30-year-old includes an option to extend his stay by a further year.
- Bissouma made 111 appearances after joining Tottenham from Brighton for £30 million in July 2022.
- His final Spurs campaign brought 11 outings as the club finished 17th in the domestic league.
- He was part of Tottenham’s 2025 UEFA Europa League-winning side and was named in the CAF Team of the Year in 2024.
- The midfielder has represented Mali since making his senior international debut in 2016 and has played at four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Ajax move offers Bissouma a new route
Medical checks and the remaining contract arrangements are close to being concluded, which would give Bissouma the opportunity to resume his career in the Eredivisie. Ajax will be taking on a player with extensive experience in England, France and international football, but one looking to recover momentum after an uneven conclusion to his time in north London.
Tottenham signed Bissouma from Brighton in the summer of 2022. He experienced major landmarks during his three years at the club, including the Europa League triumph in 2025, but also endured disciplinary difficulty. Former Spurs manager Thomas Frank omitted him from the squad for the UEFA Super Cup meeting with Paris Saint-Germain after repeated lateness.
Born in Ivory Coast, Bissouma began his senior career at Real Bamako before moving to Lille for his first professional deal. His performances in Ligue 1 led to a Premier League opportunity with Brighton, where his energetic defensive work established him as a prominent ball-winning midfielder.
He also holds the Premier League record for the quickest caution, having been shown a yellow card 14 seconds into a match against Manchester City in November 2024.
Regular role now the priority
Ajax will hope Bissouma’s experience and ability to regain possession can add authority to their midfield as he adjusts to Dutch football. For the player, the immediate task will be to earn a regular place in the side and help the Amsterdam club pursue domestic honours.
His record with Mali, built across a decade at senior level and four AFCON editions, gives Ajax an additional source of big-tournament experience as he seeks a fresh start following Tottenham’s difficult 17th-place finish.
