Inter Milan have completed the signing of England defender Djed Spence from Tottenham in a deal worth £30m, with the agreement also including a 10% sell-on clause.
Spence travelled to Italy on Friday after being given permission to undergo a medical while negotiations between the two clubs continued. The final agreement has now been reached, with the move involving a total package of £30m.
The defender was part of the England side that finished third at this summer’s World Cup. However, his chances of regular first-team football at Tottenham were expected to be limited during the coming season.
Pedro Porro remains Tottenham’s first-choice right-back, while Destiny Udogie, Andy Robertson, Souza and Ben Davies can all operate at left-back. That competition for places contributed to Spence’s decision to pursue a move away from the club.
Inter Milan had been searching for another option at right-wing-back. They turned to Spence after struggling to agree a deal for Al Ittihad winger Moussa Diaby.
Spence still had three years remaining on his Tottenham contract, with the club holding an option to extend it by another year. He was nevertheless keen to return to Italy after enjoying a six-month loan spell at Genoa from January 2024.
Tottenham signed Spence from Middlesbrough in July 2022 in a transfer that could eventually have been worth up to £20m.
The 25-year-old confirmed his departure in a farewell message posted on X. He wrote:
“A special chapter comes to an end.
“It’s been some journey, with plenty of memories, moments and experiences that I’ll carry with me for forever, especially that night in Bilbao.
“Thanks to all the staff members who’ve helped me along the way, the players who’ve become family and most importantly thank you to the fans.
“It’s time for a new chapter, but Spurs will always have a place in my heart. COYS!!”
Spence’s move gives Inter Milan a new option on the right side, while Tottenham will receive more than double the fee they paid Middlesbrough for the player.
Sky Sports News’ Mark McAdam said Tottenham supporters had seen Spence produce outstanding performances in brief spells, including during the World Cup with England.
“Spence is a player Spurs fans will say they have seen his brilliance in flashes. You saw his brilliance at the World Cup with England.
“They may also think it is frustrating. They paid £12.5m for him from Middlesbrough in 2022, a deal that Daniel Levy did. They are getting more than two times what they paid for him.
“But they will also say it doesn’t feel like a lot of money for a player who could be so important. Spurs have been preparing for this, though, and already have potential replacements in mind.”
