Tottenham confirm signing of Djed Spence from Middlesbrough

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Djed Spence from Middlesbrough on a five-year deal.

The right-back joins the club for £20million and becomes their sixth addition of the summer.

He follows Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison and Clement Lenglet through the door in a busy transfer window for Antonio Conte’s side.

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence

Spence told Tottenham’s official website: ‘Playing in the Premier League for a big club like Tottenham Hotspur is a dream come true.

‘I’m just thankful to have the opportunity to be here and to play for the club.

‘Everyone wants to play in the Premier League and as a kid you watch it, it was a target of mine. A big club, Champions League football and you’ve got some of the best players that play here so it’s a privilege to be here.

Spence becomes Antonio Conte’s side’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window

‘I’ll bring excitement, skill, speed, I just want to excite the fans and just play well.’ 

The 21-year-old had long been linked with a move to Tottenham after a stunning year on-loan at Nottingham Forest.

Spence played a key part in helping Forest reach the Premier League for the first time since 1999 – after they beat Huddersfield Town in the Championship play-off final. 

Further recognition came at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, as he was named in the EFL Championship Team of the Season and the PFA Championship Team of the Year.

Spence wrote a message to Forest fans on Tuesday morning in which he tweeted: ‘What a massive club, what a team & what special fans. We came from the bottom & made it all the way to the top. We turned dreams into reality and I can’t thank you all enough for the special journey we all shared together. Once a Red always a Red.’

Spence joins on the back of a successful year with promoted Nottingham Forest on loan

Spence was named in the England Under-21 squad for the first time in March, making his debut against Albania. His most recent call-up came in May, 2022, helping the Young Lions secure their place at next year’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

He returns to London after leaving Fulham’s academy for Teeside in 2018.

Spence will compete for a starting role as Conte’s right wing-back, alongside Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal.   

Daniel Levy has backed manager Conte this summer after an impressive fourth-placed finish last season secured Champions League football.

The Italian boss has already signed forward Richarlison from Everton for £60m, £25m midfielder Bissouma, plus wing-back Perisic and goalkeeper Forster on free transfers and Barcelona defender Lenglet on loan.