Tottenham defender Djed Spence said he hopes to go “a long way” with Genoa after joining the Italian club as a Tottenham loanee.
Spence spent the first half of the season on loan at Leeds United in the Championship but was cut short after the January transfer window opened. The 23-year-old returned to Tottenham but was soon on the move again, signing for Genoa on loan as part of the deal that saw Radu Dragusin join Spurs in January.
The deal reportedly included a buy-back option at the end of the season, as Spence is not part of Angelo Postecoglou’s plans at Tottenham. Genoa were interested in the transfer six months ago, but Leeds teased it at the time.
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Spence has now spoken for the first time about his move to Italy and hinted that he sees his long-term future at an Italian club.
“I knew they were looking for me last summer. Now, obviously, the right conditions existed to complete the operation. I am satisfied. It’s an important opportunity,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport (via SportWitness). “I hope this can be the start of a long journey at a club that is on the rise.
“I have found a nice team and a nice place. I settled in quickly. They supported me in everything. Everyone in the dressing room helped me. There is a nice atmosphere here. I will start learning Italian soon. For now I prefer to concentrate on football.”
The defender joined Tottenham from Middlesbrough in a £15m deal in the summer of 2022 after impressing in the Championship at Nottingham Forest. Under then-manager Antonio Conte, he struggled for playing time and made just six first-team appearances for the Spurs.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at French side Rennes. Since his transfer to Genoa, Spence has played three times in Serie A, winning twice and drawing once.