Djed Spence Joins Inter Milan: A New Chapter Begins
Djed Spence has closed the book on what he called a “special chapter” at Tottenham Hotspur, sealing a move to Inter Milan that reshapes both his career and Spurs’ back line.
The England defender has signed a five-year contract at San Siro, with sources indicating Inter will pay around €30 million for the 26-year-old. He is expected to step straight into the role vacated by Denzel Dumfries, who joined Real Madrid earlier in the summer.
From Bilbao to Milan
Spence leaves north London with 85 appearances for Spurs and one standout memory above all: the club’s Europa League triumph, capped by that famous night in Bilbao. It is the moment he chose to highlight as he said goodbye.
“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,” he wrote in a social media post as the transfer neared completion. He went on to thank staff, teammates “who've become family” and the fans, signing off with a nod to his enduring bond with the club: “Time for a new chapter now, but Spurs will always have a place in my heart. COYS !!!”
The timing of his departure underlines the shift at Tottenham under Roberto De Zerbi. ESPN previously reported that the head coach did not see Spence as central to his plans for the coming season. Last month, De Zerbi publicly hailed Pedro Porro as the “best in the world” in the right-back position, a clear indication of the hierarchy on that flank.
For Spence, the move crowns a remarkable year. He played in all eight of England’s matches at the 2026 World Cup, starting both the semifinal defeat to Argentina and the third-place playoff win over France. His performances in that run boosted his profile significantly and, crucially for Spurs, his market value.
Spurs cash in, Inter reload
Tottenham originally signed Spence from Middlesbrough in July 2022 in a £19m deal, with add-ons linked to international milestones. One of those clauses was triggered in September 2025 when he made his England debut, a moment that, according to sources, activated a £1m payment back to Middlesbrough.
His surprise inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad earlier this summer, and his assured displays in the tournament, pushed his stock even higher. Sources have indicated Spurs were ready to “cash in” while his value peaked, especially with De Zerbi reshaping the squad.
Inter, meanwhile, gain a fullback entering his prime, already tested on the international stage and familiar with Serie A. Spence spent six months on loan at Genoa in 2024, a brief first taste of Italian football that now looks like a prelude to a far bigger role.
Changing of the guard at Spurs
Spence’s exit is part of a broader defensive overhaul at Tottenham. Just hours before his move to Inter was confirmed, the club announced that captain Cristian Romero had completed a transfer to Atlético Madrid, stripping the dressing room of a key figure and a vocal leader.
On the opposite flank, Spurs have moved to reinforce by signing Andy Robertson on a free transfer. The former Liverpool defender is expected to compete strongly for the left-back spot, particularly with Destiny Udogie battling to prove his fitness after a difficult preseason. If Udogie recovers, De Zerbi will have genuine depth on that side; if not, Robertson’s arrival looks even more significant.
Spence, though, heads to Italy with his reputation enhanced. A World Cup ever-present, a European trophy winner, and now a marquee signing for Inter Milan. One chapter closes in north London. Another begins under the lights of San Siro, where the expectations will be just as fierce and the stage every bit as demanding.
