Ryan Sessegnon: “I can’t wait to get out there and play”

From his family garden to the world-class stadium he now calls home - Ryan Sessegnon’s extraordinary football story is ready to open a new chapter at Spurs.

The flying full-back has joined us from Fulham and signed a contract with the Club until 2025. He will wear the number 19 shirt.

Still only 19, Ryan made his debut aged 16 and took the game by storm. He was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year in his first season and followed up by taking the accolade of Championship Player of the Season as Fulham achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2017/18. That season, he also became the first player from outside the top-flight to be nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Last season, he played 35 times in his maiden Premier League campaign and became the first player born in the year 2000 or later to score in the competition.

It’s been a similar story on the international stage as well. Already capped 10 times by England Under-21s, Ryan was named Player of the Tournament when the Young Lions won the European Under-19 Championship in 2017.

Pulling on our famous Lilywhite shirt for the first time at Hotspur Way, he recalled those childhood days growing up in Roehampton, south-west London and playing football with his twin brother Steven – also a professional, at Fulham – wherever they could.

“We just loved the game,” he told us. “In the area we grew up in it was football, football, football. We played in the garden, in fields, on concrete, in the park. We’d play anywhere.

“From there we went to a local team called Wandgas FC, near our house, played there at six, seven, I was then scouted by Fulham at eight and into their Academy at nine. The journey has been crazy, incredible.”

He can now look forward to 62,000 fans singing his name… “I can’t wait to get out there and play at the new stadium,” he said. “I’ve seen pictures, but I’ve not been there yet. I’m so excited to go and see it. The first time I step out there will be crazy.

“I watched the first game against Palace (a 2-0 win in our opener in April) and the atmosphere was amazing. I want to be part of that.”

A left-sided player comfortable in left-back or wing-back roles, Ryan already has 120 senior appearances under his belt.

“First and foremost, I’m delighted to come to Spurs,” he said. “It’s the right time for me to come here, a young, eager team, an exciting team for me to join. This team is not far off winning big things in the future.”

So what attracted this hot property to our Club? “The intensity of the way Tottenham play, the energy you can see on the field, the style of play is fantastic, the new stadium, Champions League football... for a young player, it’s all exciting. It would be silly not to join a Club like this!”

His hopes for the season? “First and foremost, to work hard and to learn from everyone in the team. I want to learn what it means to play for Tottenham, the honour of the Club. I’ll work hard to try to earn my spot and hopefully get some minutes under my belt.”