Tottenham Hotspur’s new striker, Dominic Solanke, finally has a squad number. Turns out, he may not have been able to get his preferred number 9 shirt, but his choice makes a lot of sense.
Solanke shirt number was obvious
When Solanke signed for Spurs last weekend, we took a look at the different shirt numbers he could wear for the club. We assumed he would take the number 19 shirt, given Richarlison had the number 9, and no other first-team numbers really fit the profile of a striker.
Now, the club has revealed we were right, with confirmation today that Solanke will indeed be Tottenham’s new number 19 for the 2024/25 season.
The statement confirms Solanke will don this number for Monday night’s opening game against Leicester City.
The 26-year-old takes over the number after the departure of Ryan Sessegnon this summer on a free transfer.
History of the number 19
Of the 15 occupants of the number 19 shirt over the years for Spurs, perhaps the most notable is Mousa Dembele. The Belgian midfielder has earned plenty of praise from his peers in the years since he left Tottenham.
Prior to that, there has been Adel Taarabt, Sebastian Bassong, Andy Reid, and Calum Davenport in the modern era. Before them, there came Chris Armstrong, Andy Booth, John Scales, Mauricio Taricco, Stuart Nethercott, Paul McVeigh, Kevin Scott, and Kevin Watson.
Now, we wait to see if Solanke can establish himself as the best number 19 Spurs has ever had. If he can score the goals we expect him to, there’s every chance he can do just that.
Spurs Web Opinion
The number 19 just makes sense for Solanke, at least for now. If Richarlison moves on, obviously Solanke will take the number 9, but 19 feels right.
It’s just a shame he wasn’t able to get the number 18 shirt and follow in Jermain Defoe and Harry Kane’s footsteps, but I’m sure he won’t mind all that much.