Davinson Sánchez Mina (born 12 June 1996) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Süper Lig club Galatasaray and the Colombia national team.
Sánchez began his career in Colombia with Atlético Nacional, where he made his professional debut in 2013 and went on to win four Categoría Primera A titles, two Copa Colombia trophies (2012, 2013), the 2016 Superliga Colombiana, and the 2016 Copa Libertadores. In 2016–17, he moved to Europe to join Ajax, where he was named the club's Player of the Year and reached the 2017 UEFA Europa League Final. Later in 2017, he signed for Tottenham Hotspur in a then club-record £42 million transfer, making 207 appearances. In 2023, he joined Turkish club Galatasaray, where he won the 2023 Turkish Super Cup, three Süper Lig titles, and the 2024–25 Turkish Cup.
At youth level, Sánchez represented Colombia at the 2013 South American U-17 Championship and was part of the Colombia squads that participated at the 2015 South American U-20 Championship and the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, respectively. He made his senior debut for Colombia in 2016 and has represented the nation at three editions of the Copa América, as well as at the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2026.
Davinson Sánchez began his footballing education in the academy of América de Cali, first as a defensive midfielder before being moved permanently to centre-back due to his anticipation, strength and aerial ability. During his early teens he impressed playing above his age category, drawing interest from clubs in Medellín.
After his family relocated to Antioquia, Sánchez joined the youth setup of Atlético Nacional under coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who promoted a possession-based system relying on ball-playing centre-backs. He made his professional debut on 27 October 2013, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 loss to Boyacá Chicó in the Categoría Primera A.
On 2 March 2016 he scored his first senior goal in a 3–0 win over Sporting Cristal during the Copa Libertadores group stage. That year he was a starter throughout Nacional's victorious 2016 Copa Libertadores, including both legs of the final against Independiente del Valle, giving Nacional its second continental title.
His performances in the Copa Libertadores caught the attention of European and Brazilian clubs including Barcelona, Ajax and Flamengo. Sánchez declined Barcelona's offer because it required joining Barcelona B, opting for Ajax as he would be guaranteed valuable playing time.
After winning the 2016 Copa Libertadores with Atlético Nacional, Sánchez signed a five-year contract with Ajax in June 2016 for a reported fee of €5 million. He officially joined the Dutch club in late July following Nacional's continental campaign and was unveiled alongside compatriot Mateo Cassierra.
Sánchez made his competitive debut for Ajax on 13 August 2016 in a 2–2 draw away to Roda JC in the Eredivisie. He quickly established himself as a starting centre-back under manager Peter Bosz, known for his composure on the ball and aerial ability.
His first goal came on 24 September 2016, scoring from close range in a 5–1 league win against PEC Zwolle. He scored again on 20 November 2016, heading in from a corner in a 5–0 victory over NEC Nijmegen. His third league goal came on 12 March 2017 in a 3–0 home win against FC Twente. Sánchez also scored in European competition on 24 November 2016, netting Ajax's second goal in a 2–0 win over Panathinaikos in the UEFA Europa League group stage.
In total, he made 43 appearances and scored 6 goals across all competitions — 32 in the Eredivisie and 11 in European competition — as Ajax finished second in the league and reached the UEFA Europa League Final against Manchester United, losing 2–0. His performances earned him Ajax's Player of the Year award, putting Sánchez on the radar of major European clubs, including renewed interest from Barcelona as well as Chelsea.
Sánchez began pre-season with Ajax and made two competitive appearances at the start of the 2017–18 campaign — both in the UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds. However, following Tottenham's approach in August 2017, he was omitted from the matchday squad until the transfer was finalised. He departed Ajax having scored 7 goals in 46 official matches for the club in all competitions.
On 18 August 2017, Tottenham Hotspur announced the signing of Sánchez from Ajax for a club-record fee of £42 million, making him the first Colombian to play for the club.
Sánchez debuted in the Premier League on 27 August 2017, coming on in a 1–1 draw against Burnley at Wembley. Under Mauricio Pochettino, he quickly became a regular starter on the right of a back three alongside Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. He made 31 league appearances and nine in other competitions (five in the UEFA Champions League and four in domestic cups). Tottenham finished third and qualified for the Champions League again.
In May 2018, Sánchez extended his contract to 2024. On 10 February 2019, he scored his first goal for Tottenham, heading in from a Christian Eriksen corner during a 3–1 win over Leicester City.
That same season he featured in Tottenham's historic run to the UEFA Champions League Final against Liverpool, playing throughout the group and knockout stages.
After José Mourinho succeeded Pochettino in November 2019, Sánchez remained a central defensive regular and passed 100 total appearances for Tottenham.
He made 27 league appearances plus ten in other competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, helping Spurs finish sixth in the Premier League and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.