Harry Kane showed his emotional side as he presented Djed Spence with his England legacy cap on Tuesday.
Spence, 25, made his international debut off the bench in England’s 5-0 thrashing of Serbia, becoming the first Muslim to represent the Three Lions in the process.
It capped a remarkable rise for Spence who only established himself as a Premier League regular during the second half of last season amid a major injury crisis at Tottenham.
The full back had arrived at Spurs in 2022 after joining from Middlesbrough for £20million, but then manager Antonio Conte effectively disowned him at the time, describing him coldly as an ‘investment of the club’.
After barely featuring, he endured unsuccessful loan spells at Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa over the next two years before his breakthrough came under Ange Postecoglou and he excelled.
And Kane, who was Spence’s team-mate in north London for a season before he joined Bayern Munich in 2023, touched on the defender’s incredible resilience when presenting him with his legacy cap following his debut.
Harry Kane got emotional as he delivered a heartwarming message to team-mate Djed Spence
Spence made his England debut on Tuesday in their thumping 5-0 victory against Serbia
‘We had a new debut today,’ he began in a video that was released on the England X account.
‘I asked to do this because I saw this player three to four years ago at Tottenham and he had to go through a lot.
‘He had to keep his head up, he had to work hard and now he’s an England player so I’m a little bit emotional because I know how much it takes to get here.’
Kane’s voice began to crack, before he continued: ‘And I saw what it was like and it was tough for you. So credit to your, your family, everyone involved… you deserve this one.’
The presentation, which took place in England’s changing room in Belgrade, was met with cheers as Kane and Spence then embraced before the Spurs star addressed the room.
‘I’m grateful to make my debut,’ Spence added. ‘(I’m) over the moon. It’s been a long journey but finally made it here, but God is great man, thank you.’
Speaking last week, Spence had opened up the challenges he has faced throughout his career, including Conte’s comments when he arrived at Spurs.
‘I did really well, got promoted with Nottingham Forest and I was buzzing,’ Spence recalled. ‘I am going to sign for Tottenham. So to hear comments like that wasn’t nice.
After Kane’s speech, he embraced Spence and the dressing room was full of cheers
Spence’s England debut capped a remarkable rise for the defender over the past 12 months
‘It shatters your confidence a bit. But I am fighter. So, whatever I do, I will try to do my best in everything I can. Fast forward, I am here now, so I am happy.’
That resilience was also needed when his former Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock publicly questioned his mentality.
‘There are not many players where you can say it’s all up to them personally how far they go – it’s what’s between the ears,’ the veteran boss had said. ‘He could be playing at a top club in England or in non-league in five years, I don’t know.’
After being allowed to join Forest on loan and subsequently triumphing in the Championship play-off final, Spence hit back with a cheeky tweet on X, welcoming Warnock to the platform with a picture of himself in a celebratory Wembley dressing room with the trophy and a cigar.
‘I wouldn’t say I have a list (of doubters) or anything,’ Spence said. ‘But I do have a mental note of people who doubted me, for sure, and it does feel good to prove them wrong.’
