Spence says Inter’s illustrious history sold him on Italy move

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Djed Spence says the opportunity to write new chapters in Inter’s illustrious history was the main factor in persuading him to leave Tottenham for the Serie A giants.

On Saturday, Spence completed his €35m (£30m) transfer to the Scudetto holders, who sold fellow full-back Denzel Dumfries to Real Madrid earlier in the transfer window. 

The England international returns to Italy two years after he had a loan stint with Genoa, playing 16 games for the Rossoblu in the second half of the 2023-24 campaign.

Spence also spent time on loan at Rennes and Leeds United during his four years as a Spurs player, having originally joined the north London club from Middlesbrough in 2022.

Spence won plaudits for his performances at this summer’s World Cup, where Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions took the bronze medal following a semi-final defeat to Argentina.

The 26-year-old made 19 tackles at the 2026 World Cup, the most by an England defender at a single edition of the tournament since Ashley Cole in 2002 (25).

And he will now look to help Cristian Chivu’s side defend the Serie A title they won last season, with their opening game of the new campaign coming against Monza next week.

Asked what attracted him most to the Nerazzurri, Spence told the club’s website: “I was definitely drawn by the history. 

“You only have to look behind us at all those trophies. This really is a massive club.

“It’s a big step for me and my family. I’m over the moon to be here and I’m ready to get started.”

In the Nerazzurri web  pic.twitter.com/u8YE473jWc

— Inter  (@Inter_en) August 16, 2026

Having already had two stints outside of England, Spence believes playing abroad helped him mature as a player and as a person.

“They’ve shaped me a lot,” Spence said of those experiences with Rennes and Genoa.

“You learn so much when you play abroad. I can say I became a man when I was abroad and I’m grateful for those experiences.”

Spence’s new team-mates include John Stones, who he played alongside for England at the World Cup, and backup goalkeeper Josep Martinez, who was at Genoa during his previous spell in Italy. 

“I haven’t spoken to any of them yet, but I was with Martinez at Genoa two years ago and with Stones at the World Cup,” Spence said of his new team-mates. 

“They both sent me messages in the last few days. I can’t wait to see them and get started.”

Spence is Inter’s fifth signing of the summer, after the Nerazzurri also brought in Stones, Manuel Akanji, Aleksandar Stankovic and Ivan Provedel. 

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