Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Mali international midfielder Yves Bissouma has joined Dutch club Ajax on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Tottenham Hotspur.
Ajax confirmed the signing on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, announcing that the 30-year-old midfielder has signed a contract running until June 30, 2027.
Bissouma becomes the latest experienced midfielder to join the Amsterdam club after leaving Tottenham at the end of the 2025/26 season.
The move marks a new chapter in the career of a player who has spent the past eight years in English football, first with Brighton & Hove Albion and later with Tottenham.
Ajax Confirm Bissouma Signing
Ajax announced that an agreement had been reached with Bissouma after discussions between the player and the club began in August.
The Dutch club said the midfielder joined as a free agent and that his contract took immediate effect.
Ajax technical director Jordi Cruijff said the club was pleased to have secured an experienced player who understands the demands of playing at the highest level.
Cruijff also highlighted Bissouma’s versatility, noting that the Mali international can operate in several midfield positions.
Ajax said it hopes to have Bissouma eligible to play for the club as soon as possible.
The signing gives Ajax another experienced option in midfield as the club continues its 2026/27 campaign.
Bissouma Welcomes Ajax Move
Bissouma said he was happy to complete the move to Amsterdam and described Ajax as one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The midfielder said discussions with people at Ajax about the club’s project helped influence his decision to join.
He also indicated that he wants to contribute his experience to the team while supporting younger players in the squad.
Bissouma described himself as a player who tries to push his teammates every day and said he wants to help Ajax achieve its objectives on the pitch.
The midfielder’s comments underline the role he hopes to play beyond his duties in the centre of the field.
Tottenham Contract Comes to an End
Bissouma left Tottenham after four seasons with the Premier League club.
Tottenham confirmed in June 2026 that the Mali international would depart following the conclusion of his contract.
He joined Spurs from Brighton in 2022 and went on to make 111 appearances for the club in all competitions.
During his Tottenham career, Bissouma scored two competitive goals, both in the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign.
His first came against Everton, while his second was scored against West Ham United.
His most notable achievement with Tottenham came at the end of the 2024/25 season when the club won the UEFA Europa League.
Tottenham said Bissouma produced strong performances in both legs of the semi-final against Bodø/Glimt and also featured in the final against Manchester United in Bilbao.
A Midfielder With Premier League Experience
Bissouma arrived in England in 2018 after joining Brighton & Hove Albion from French club Lille.
He spent four seasons with Brighton and made 123 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals.
His performances helped establish him as an important defensive and box-to-box midfield option in the Premier League.
Brighton’s 2021/22 campaign was particularly significant, with the club finishing ninth in the Premier League, then its highest-ever position in the English top flight.
Bissouma’s performances during that period attracted interest from several clubs before Tottenham completed his transfer in 2022.
His move to Spurs represented another step in a career that had already taken him from Mali to France and then England.
From Mali to European Football
Bissouma was born on August 30, 1996, in Issia, Côte d’Ivoire, and also holds Malian nationality.
He began his professional career with Lille after developing through football in Mali.
According to Ajax, he started his professional career with Lille in 2016 before moving to Brighton in 2018.
His development in France and England eventually established him as a regular member of the Mali national team.
Bissouma made his senior international debut for Mali in October 2015.
He represented the country at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2016 and was also involved with the national team at the rescheduled 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, played in Cameroon in 2022.
Tottenham’s records show that he had reached 40 senior international appearances for Mali by the end of the 2024/25 season.
Ajax Add Another Experienced Midfielder
Bissouma’s arrival adds further experience to an Ajax midfield that already includes players with significant international backgrounds.
The Amsterdam club has also recruited experienced midfielders during the current transfer period, including Morocco international Sofyan Amrabat.
Ajax announced Amrabat’s signing as a free agent in August, with the midfielder agreeing a contract until June 2028.
Bissouma’s arrival therefore provides the club with another player accustomed to high-level European competition and physical midfield battles.
His ability to play in more than one midfield position could also give the coaching staff additional tactical options.
A Fresh Opportunity After Tottenham
The move to Ajax gives Bissouma an opportunity to begin again after his four-year spell in north London.
His Tottenham career included periods of regular first-team football, competition for midfield places and injuries, but it also ended with a European trophy.
Tottenham’s official records show that Bissouma made 44 appearances during the 2024/25 campaign, including 28 Premier League appearances and 10 in the Europa League.
He featured prominently during Tottenham’s run to the Europa League title, giving him experience of decisive European knockout matches.
That experience is now part of the background he brings to Ajax.
What Bissouma Brings to Ajax
Bissouma arrives with experience from three major European football environments: France, England and now the Netherlands.
His Premier League career exposed him to some of the most competitive midfield battles in European football, while his international career has given him experience representing Mali at major continental tournaments.
Ajax can also draw on his familiarity with high-pressure matches and his experience playing in European competitions.
The midfielder has indicated that he wants to use that experience to help his new teammates, particularly younger members of the squad.
However, his exact role at Ajax will depend on the club’s tactical approach, competition for places and his adaptation to Dutch football.
What Happens Next
Bissouma’s immediate task will be settling into the Ajax squad and completing the necessary registration requirements before making his competitive debut.
Ajax has confirmed that his contract runs until June 30, 2027.
The midfielder will now begin training and competing for a place in the squad as Ajax continues its domestic and European campaign.
For Tottenham, Bissouma’s departure closes a four-year chapter that ended with the Europa League trophy.
For Bissouma, the move represents a fresh opportunity at one of Europe’s most historically recognised clubs.
His next challenge will be to establish himself in Amsterdam and contribute to Ajax’s ambitions during the remainder of the 2026/27 season.
WENG Global — Stories beyond borders
Sources
Ajax — Official announcement confirming Yves Bissouma’s signing on a contract running until June 30, 2027, published September 16, 2026.
Ajax — Bissouma’s official interview following his move to Amsterdam, published September 16, 2026.
Tottenham Hotspur — Official announcement confirming Bissouma’s departure following the expiration of his contract, published June 10, 2026.
Tottenham Hotspur — Official Yves Bissouma player profile and career statistics.
Tottenham Hotspur — Official announcement confirming Bissouma’s arrival from Brighton in June 2022.
