Spurs have announced the capture of right-wingback Djed Spence from Middlesbrough on a long-term contract, beating competition from Premier League side Nottingham Forest – whom the 21-year-old helped achieve promotion to the top-flight last season – for his signature.
The England youth international has signed a five-year contract with the club, which will run until the end of the 2026/27 season after they agreed to pay a basic fee of 12.5 million pounds for his rights.
Spence becomes Spurs’ sixth signing of the summer. The North London club brought in winger Ivan Perisic and goalkeeper Fraser Forster on free transfers earlier in the window before prising away defensive midfielder Yves Bissouma and attacker Richarlison in big money deals.
Spurs also added centre-back Clement Lenglet to their roster through a one-year loan deal from FC Barcelona, but they do not hold the option or the obligation to make his stay permanent at the end of the stipulated period.
Spence becomes Antonio Conte’s eighth signing as the manager of Tottenham. The Italian sanctioned moves for Juventus pair Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur in the January window of 2022, with the former joining the club on a loan and obligation to buy deal and the latter permanently.
The Italian’s demands, however, were justified when the pair fitted into his system seamlessly and helped guide Spurs to a fourth-place finish, thus qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season.
Spurs have been in the hunt for a right-wingback since January. The club chased after Adama Traore of Wolverhampton – who, originally an attacker, can and have played as a wingback in the past – but the Spaniard chose to sign for Barcelona on loan instead.
The club finally has their man in Spence, who was one of the Championship’s most promising young players last season. He made 46 appearances for Forest while on loan from Boro and scored three goals.
