Tottenham Hotspur, a prominent club in the English Premier League, gained significant popularity in Kenya when former Harambee Stars captain, Victor Wanyama, joined the team in June 2016. Wanyama made history by becoming the first Kenyan to play in the Premier League when he signed with Southampton in July 2013, transferring from the Scottish club Celtic.
He later moved to Tottenham, where he made 97 appearances and scored seven goals. His remarkable contributions, especially during their 2018-2019 Champions League campaign, helped Spurs reach the final. Wanyama left the club in March 2020.
After Wanyama’s departure, no Kenyan player featured in the Premier League until July 2022, when Tottenham signed Djed Spence, a promising full-back. Spence, who is versatile enough to play as a right-back and occasionally on the left, has shown great potential in his career.
Born in London on August 9, 2000, to a Jamaican father and a Kenyan mother, Spence is eligible to represent three countries at the international level: Kenya, Jamaica, or England. His mother, Aisha, hails from Central Kenya but has spent much of her life in the United Kingdom.
She co-founded BeSpoke Art Services Limited, a company that specializes in artwork framing. Aisha has always supported her son’s career, attending his matches and even washing kits for Junior Elite, the youth academy where Spence honed his skills.
Before joining Spurs, Spence had an impressive 2021-2022 season with Nottingham Forest, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League. However, his time at Tottenham has been challenging, especially under the management of Antonio Conte, leading to loan moves to Rennes, Leeds United, and Genoa.
Despite these setbacks, Spence’s fortunes took a turn ahead of the 2024-2025 season, when he impressed during preseason and earned a contract extension with Spurs that runs until October 2028.
Spence’s performances in the 2024-2025 season have been exceptional, especially when forced to adapt to a left-back role due to injuries in the squad.
His standout moment came on February 22, 2025, when he scored his first Premier League goal in a 4-1 win over Ipswich Town. This came after he had already provided assists in several games and scored in domestic cup competitions.
This season, Spence has become a fan favorite at Tottenham, known for his powerful runs from defense that lead to dangerous attacks in the final third. His versatility and attacking threat have earned him praise from fans and pundits alike.
Despite his growing reputation, Spence has yet to declare his international allegiance. Although he has represented England at the U-21 level, he has kept his options open regarding a senior call-up. Recently, former England striker Gary Lineker suggested that Spence deserves a place in the national team, further increasing speculation about his future.
At over 6 feet tall, Spence combines impressive defensive skills with an ability to contribute going forward, earning comparisons to some of the best full-backs in football history, including Ashley Cole, Marcelo, Roberto Carlos, and Philipp Lahm.
With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Spence could soon find himself being called up by England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, potentially putting an end to any hopes of him representing Kenya. While there is still a possibility of him playing for Jamaica, there has been little discussion about that option.
Regardless of which national team he chooses to represent, Djed Spence’s talent is undeniable. He is quickly establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s top full-backs, and his future in football looks incredibly bright.
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