Sandro Tonali chooses his Tottenham shirt number, and it has history with Gareth Bale

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Tottenham Hotspur have now confirmed the club’s new number 16 following the latest signing of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.

Tottenham Hotspur fans will no doubt be pleased with the ambition being shown by their club as they prepare for next season.

Spurs kick off their 26/27 campaign against Brentford and, based on their transfer dealings so far, the squad could look very different.

Six new signings, all capable of competing for a starting spot, have underlined Tottenham’s intent ahead of the new campaign.

The latest of those additions is a major one, with Sandro Tonali joining from Newcastle United for a record £100 million transfer fee (€118m).

Tottenham confirm Sandro Tonali’s shirt number

Tonali has since spoken about why he chose Tottenham and the significant role Roberto De Zerbi played in convincing him to make the move.

Spurs Web has also reported that the new arrivals, including Tonali, are on course to resume training at Hotspur Way in four days.

Tottenham themselves have welcomed the Italian, who is no stranger to English football after three years at Newcastle.

Following his move, Tonali has been confirmed as Tottenham’s new number 16 ahead of the 26/27 season.

Tonali’s surprise shirt number choice and Spurs history

His number selection certainly comes as a surprise given that he has never worn that shirt before. Tonali has previously graced the number 8 and number 6 in recent years, making this the first time in his career he will wear the number 16.

However, historically at Tottenham, there have been several notable names who have worn that shirt. One that immediately stands out is Gareth Bale, who wore it back in the 07/08 season.

That campaign did not see Bale set the league alight, as he managed two goals and an assist in eight Premier League appearances.

Yet his overall career with Spurs was nothing short of outstanding, with several standout seasons and iconic moments of his own – none more memorable than his hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro.

Kyle Walker is another standout name to have donned the number 16 shirt for Spurs, doing so in the 2010/11 campaign.

The last player to have worn the shirt was Luka Vuskovic, although he never did so in a competitive game, only featuring in pre-season last campaign.

Vuskovic is now set to depart for Brighton and Hove Albion, which has allowed Tonali to take the number 16 shirt from him.

Other iconic names to have donned the number 16 shirt at Spurs, include Kieran Trippier, Alan Gilzean, and Cyril Knowles.

Tottenham number 16 shirt history

• READ MORE: Sandro Tonali reveals ‘magic’ conversation with De Zerbi that led to £100m Tottenham transfer