Spence joins Spurs, Sinclair heads to Rochdale

LONDON, ENGLAND – Djed Spence and Tyrese Sinclair, two United Kingdom-born footballers with Jamaican fathers, have switched clubs, Spence saying his move to the Premier League is a “dream come true”.

Tottenham Hotspur have signed defender Spence from Championship outfit Middlesbrough in a deal worth up to £20 million (US$23.8 million).

He spent last season on loan with Nottingham Forest, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League.

Spence, 21, has signed a five-year deal with the Spurs that includes an initial fee of £12.5 million ($14.9 million) and £7.5 million ($8.9 million) in add-ons.

“I bring excitement, skill, speed. I just want to excite the fans and play well,” he said.

“Last year was a great season, the stuff of dreams really. To play in the Premier League is a dream come true.”

Spence is Spurs manager Antonio Conte’s sixth signing of the summer, following goalkeeper Fraser Forster, defender Clement Lenglet, midfielder Yves Bissouma and forwards Ivan Perisic and Richarlison.

Spence, who joined Middlesbrough from Fulham’s academy in 2018, scored three goals in 46 games in all competitions for Forest last season.

League Two side Rochdale have signed forward Sinclair – whose father Frank made 28 appearances for Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz between 1998 and 2003 – on a two-year deal following his release by rivals Mansfield Town at the end of last season.

The 21-year-old came through Blackburn Rovers’ academy before joining Mansfield’s youth set-up in 2017.

He made 44 appearances for the Stags and also made 14 appearances during a loan spell last term with Scunthorpe United, who ultimately suffered relegation to the fifth-tier National League.

“I’ve worked to get this deal, but the work is just getting started now and I’m ready to kick on,” Sinclair said.

(CMC)