Leeds United have successfully completed the loan move for Djed Spence from Tottenham Hotspur for the 2023-24 season.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, it has been confirmed that Djed Spence has joined Leeds United on a £1m loan deal after the successful completion of his medicals.
The Tottenham youngster, valued at £20 million, will be departing from the north London club temporarily with no buy option.
Djed Spence’s woes at Tottenham
Djed Spence might need to rebuild his career after a disappointing year at Tottenham following his £20 million transfer from Middlesbrough.
The acquisition of the right-back came under thorough inspection when former Spurs manager Antonio Conte publicly criticized the club for signing the 23-year-old player.
The former England Under-21 international showcased exceptional skills during Nottingham Forest’s promotion to the Premier League in the 2021-22 season to secure his transfer to Spurs.
However, he has only made four appearances in the top-flight matches in north London, accumulating a mere three minutes of playing time.
He subsequently traveled to France to complete the second half of the previous season on loan at Rennes.
In Ligue 1, he didn’t make a significant impact, and although he became a semi-regular player, the possibility of leaving Tottenham was imminent.
Tottenham do not have any plan for him this season as Spence currently holds the third position in the right-back pecking order, with Pedro Porro and Emerson Royal ahead of him.
Both players have been selected ahead of the 23-year-old in Tottenham’s first two matches of the season.
Tottenham placed Spence on their transfer list at the beginning of the summer, and it is not surprising that the England youngster has not attracted much attention.
Meanwhile, Spence’s experience in the Championship could be crucial in fueling his transfer to Leeds United, as it offers him the opportunity to rejuvenate his career in the second division.
He is required to strengthen the Leeds defense, which has appeared weak at full-back positions in the early part of the season.
It is important to mention that the club agreement does not include a buy option, which means that Spence will be returning to Tottenham next summer.
Spurs will be hopeful that he has a successful season in the Championship and can regain some of his previous form when he returns.
What’s next for Spence and his new club?
Leeds United have already conceded seven goals in just four matches, which has resulted in a mixed start to the new season.
Last weekend, the Whites secured a 4-3 victory in their away match against Ipswich.
Spence is likely to make his debut this Saturday, September 2nd, as Leeds United will be facing Sheffield Wednesday, who currently hold the bottom position in the league.
Who is Djed Spence?
Diop Tehuti Djed-Hotep Spence, born on 9 August 2000, is a talented English professional footballer.
He currently joins Leeds United as a right-back on a loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur.
Djed Spence’s playing style
Spence is primarily positioned as a right-back and is recognized for his exceptional speed and skillful dribbling.
Ian Wright has praised him, describing him as “combative, technical, and swashbuckling.”
Spence’s club career
Spence began his career at Fulham’s academy before he joined Middlesbrough on July 1, 2018.
After spending 3 years at Middlesbrough, it was announced that Spence would be joining Nottingham Forest on loan for the rest of the season on September 1, 2021.
Spence played a crucial role in Nottingham Forest’s successful promotion campaign.
The 23-year-old was recognized for his outstanding performance by being included in both the EFL Championship Team of the Season and the PFA Championship Team of the Season.
His excellent performance earned him the move to Tottenham Hotspur on July 19, 2022, on a five-year contract reported to be around £20 million.
He also played in France having joined Ligue 1 side Rennes on January 31, 2023, on a loan until the end of the season.
His international career
Spence received his first international call-up to the England Under-21 squad for the upcoming Under-21 European Championship Qualifying matches against Andorra and Albania in March 2022.
On March 29, 2022, he made his debut as a substitute in a 3-0 victory away from home.
His honours and achievements
In 2022, Spence helped Nottingham Forest to emerge victorious in the EFL Championship play-offs.
In addition, he has received several individual honors, including the EFL Young Player of the Month award in December 2019, as well as the EFL Championship Player of the Month and EFL Championship Goal of the Month awards in March 2022.
He was also awarded the EFL Championship Team of the Season and the PFA Team of the Year for the 2021-22 Championship season.
