How did your move come about?

Azza: "There was an interest from Tottenham which also coincided with a period in Leeds’ history when they were experiencing financial difficulties. The transfer came about pretty quickly. I was quite surprised one day when I got a phone call about making the move. There had only been a few mentions about going to Spurs beforehand and, all of a sudden, I get a call saying Leeds had agreed a fee.

"Moving from Leeds to London was a massive step having just turned 18. It seemed like the perfect move though as Spurs were signing all the top youngsters from everywhere at that time."

You played 29 times for Spurs in your debut season with the club in 2005/06, got nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year and made it into the England World Cup squad. You must look back on that campaign fondly?

Azza: "When I first arrived at Spurs, I was unsettled… I was homesick and I also wasn’t playing in the team that much. But once I got into the team, things couldn’t have gone any better for me.

"I started to play week in, week out. I was playing well and it ended with me being called up to the England World Cup squad at the end of my first season at Spurs, as you say. So, honestly, it couldn’t have gone any better for me."

You scored in the 5-1 win over Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final, second leg in January 2008. How fondly do you look back on that game?

Azza: "That’s right up there with one of the top five matches I was involved with during my Spurs career. It was one of those where we were absolutely on fire that night and the Lane was rocking. Arsenal couldn’t cope with us that night and the most important thing was that we got the club through to its first final in quite some time. To then go on and win the trophy made that victory over Arsenal even more special.

"I remember scoring the fourth goal on the night – Keano (Robbie Keane) played me through. That was the one when you thought ‘OK, we’re through’. At 3-0 up, there’s still a small chance of a comeback, but 4-0 up, it was game over!"

What was it like going on to win the League Cup that season?

Azza: "We went into the final against an amazing Chelsea team, people forget quite how good they were. They were winning trophy after trophy. We were brilliant on the day though. After not the best of starts, we really grew into the game and deserved the win in the end. It was a magical day."

We secured UEFA Champions League qualification with a 1-0 win at Manchester City. What a game that must have been to be a part of?

Azza: "Absolutely. I was very fortunate during my career to play in some amazing matches and be involved in some incredible occasions. Winning at Manchester City to secure Champions League football was one of those moments. It was a massive achievement for us to get in the Champions League, something we had worked towards. I remember the celebrations after Crouchy’s winner and after the game too… Harry Redknapp getting a soaking! I remember the dressing room after…it was one big celebration."

What memories do you have of playing in the UEFA Champions League in 2010/11?

Azza: "Those matches, under the lights – especially at the Lane – were so, so special. The feeling walking out, the Champions League theme tune, the Lane absolutely rocking…they are things that will always stay with you. We had such a good team at that time and some of the best football we played was in those Champions League games. As a team, we loved those matches. We thrived on the big occasions and you could sense that in the changing room pre-match. We worked so hard to get there and once we did, we gave it everything.

"Gareth Bale really emerged on the scene in that Champions League of course. What Gaz was doing to teams in that season was incredible. And he was doing it against the best players around. Maicon was considered the best right-back in the world at that time and those two games against Gaz pretty much ruined his career! Those games in the Champions League was when everyone realised quite how special a player Gareth was. 

"One of my favourite moments in a Spurs shirt was the win over Milan at the San Siro. Again, we were up against such a strong team with (Alessandro) Nesta, (Gennaro) Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf, Zlatan Ibrahimovic…world superstars. In terms of the goal, I remember going through and people saying ‘shoot, shoot’. I saw Crouchy and I was able to put it on a plate for him. It was an amazing feeling seeing the ball end up in the back of the net. It was another incredible night."

After scoring 30 goals in 364 matches for us between 2005 and 2015, it must have been tough for you to depart for Everton, initially on loan, in February, 2015?

Azza: "It was very tough after the incredible time I had at Spurs. You can never be sure about leaving a club sometimes and I remember even on the day the deal went through, sitting there with Daniel Levy and us both having the conversation about whether it was the right time for me to leave. I hadn’t played much football in the first half of the season though and I wasn’t one of those players who was happy to be on the bench…I always wanted to be playing. So that made my mind up, but it was so tough to leave a club I’d been with for 10 years. Spurs became home to me. I loved the club, the fans, my team-mates and I was so settled. But that’s football. I left Spurs with nothing but special, special memories though."

Can you tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to since retiring from playing in 2022?

Azza: "I did my ‘B’ coaching licence last season and started on my ‘A’. I was coaching Leeds’ under-18s last season, which I really enjoyed. I decided not to do that this season though as I’m due to become a dad again any day now. We already have a three-year-old, so it’s the time to just enjoy being a dad.

"I’ve been doing some punditry as well, which I have really been enjoying. I’m looking to do more of that this season and also take up the coaching again when the time is right."

Finally, what do you make of this current Spurs team?

Azza: "There are so many good players here. It’s a young, exciting team, especially because of the way Ange wants to play. It’s great to watch. Sonny has been here for ages and everyone knows just how good he is. He’s world class. (James) Maddison is fantastic. I absolutely love (Micky) van de Ven and (Cristian) Romero as a defensive pairing. Archie Gray is someone I know a lot about from Leeds and he’s a top player and a top lad too. I think Wilson Odobert is going to be a great signing from Burnley. From back to front, there’s some great players in there and who knows where this team can go this season. I obviously wish them every success."