Tottenham defender Djed Spence has spoken about the unforgettable moment he received his first-ever England call-up, explaining how it happened and the emotions that came with it.
Djed Spence has had a whirlwind few months in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt, going from a player on the fringes to an England international.
A player who could barely get a look-in for Tottenham’s first-team squad is now amongst several Tottenham players who have jetted off to represent their national teams this international break.
Spence’s call-up came only weeks after Tottenham decided to extend his stay in north London until 2029, with the 25-year-old receiving two new contracts in less than a year.
Djed Spence reveals how he received England call-up
Speaking to the official Tottenham website, Djed Spence revealed exactly how he found out about his first-ever call-up to the England senior team.
The full-back explained that the news came through a text message, one that instructed him not to share the information with anyone before the official announcement.
Spence said: “I received a text about the call-up. I got told, obviously, not to say anything. I just had a big smile on my face. I told my family to watch out for the announcement.
“It was just a great moment for me. I had seen some of the boys I played with at Under-21 level get their call-up. It was motivation for me, and now I am finally here.”
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank praises Djed Spence after England call-up
Representing England has long been a target for Djed Spence, who was tipped for a senior call-up last season but missed out.
His persistence and determination have finally paid off, earning him a place in the squad at a crucial time, with 2026 being a World Cup year.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank was full of praise for Spence when speaking to reporters, crediting his journey and recent form for making the call-up possible.
Frank said: “Wow. How good is that? Big credit to Djed. He truly deserves it. What a journey to have it at 24, 25 years old this year. Being called up? I do not think many saw that coming.
“He had a good end to last season, he had a top pre-season, and he played very well in the three games against Paris Saint-Germain, Burnley and Man City, really giving a lot to the team. I am so happy for him.”