Djed Spence Tottenham contract could be good news for Middlesbrough

Spence joined Spurs two years ago when Antonio Conte was head coach but struggled for opportunities in his debut campaign and, following loan spells at Rennes, Leeds and Genoa, was expected to leave this summer.

 

But current Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou handed the versatile defender a lifeline after he included him on the club’s pre-season tour in July and Spence has impressed since.

While the 24-year-old was left out of Spurs’ Europa League squad for the group stage last month, Spence recently scored in a last-gasp 2-1 win at Coventry in the Carabao Cup and has proved adept in both full-back positions during his four appearances this term.

 

The former England Under-21 international agreed a five-year contract on signing for Tottenham from Middlesbrough in 2022 and the club have announced he has now signed a new deal until 2028.

So where do Boro come in?

 

Well the deal that took Spence from Boro to Spurs two summers ago included performance-based add-ons.

 

Given the full-back’s struggle in his first couple of years at Tottenham, those add-ons haven’t yet been triggered. But if Spence continues his unlikely turnaround and ends up making a success of his time at Spurs, Boro could benefit financially, as they have with the Morgan Rogers deal.

Aston Villa’s Champions League qualification last season triggered a payment to Boro and a further add-on will follow if – or when, given his dazzling form – Rogers makes his senior England debut.

1. The fee when Spence left for Tottenham was undisclosed so it’s not known exactly how much was paid up-front but if every add-on was triggered, Boro would eventually receive around £20m.