Spurs fans around the world paid tribute to Ledley King on Monday as the legendry Tottenham defender turned 40-years-old.
Happy 40th Birthday @LedleyKing, from everyone at Yorkshire Spurs ???
Hope you have a great one?????? pic.twitter.com/BiRBkY5y7w
— Yorkshire Spurs (@YorkshireSpurs) October 12, 2020
Happy Birthday to the legendary LEDLEY KING, Tottenham through and through ? pic.twitter.com/WLwCiwO4zl
— Jules Bevis COYS ? (@julesbevis) October 12, 2020
Still regarded by many as the greatest ever defender to play for the club in the Premier League era, King is revered by the Tottenham fan base.
Having graduated through the youth ranks at the club, King made his first-team debut for the Lilywhites against Liverpool in May 1999.
Although he broke into the team as a midfielder, he quickly settled down in central defence and went on to become one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League.
However, he was plagued by injury problems during his career and arguably failed to fulfil his potential for both club and country because of this.
After knee problems forced him into early retirement, he spent many years as a club ambassador before Jose Mourinho identified his talents as a coach and added him to his staff (The Athletic).
King can now be regularly seen performing defensive drills with the Tottenham back line before games.
What fans may not be aware is that, as of Monday, King has now completed 26 years at Spurs which holds special significance as 26 was the defender’s shirt number during the entirety of his playing career.
I joined @SpursOfficial age 14 which means now Iv reached my shirt number in years at the club?thank you for your support #26king #COYS #THFC https://t.co/qvLMmCsxa4
— Ledley King (@LedleyKing) October 12, 2020
Although the number has not been officially retired by the club, no other player has worn it since King’s retirement in 2012.
Spurs Web Opinion
King was just an absolute freak of a defender as he literally had no weaknesses to his game. He was extremely quick, very good on the ball, two-footed, dominant in the air and in 50-50s, and read the game better than any centre-half I have ever seen. If had not been plagued with knee problems, I believe he could have gone down as one of England’s all-time greats. If he can help the likes of Dier or Sanchez develop even a little bit of his sense of positioning and his capacity to sense danger, both players can develop into top central defenders.