Nile John: "I’ve been here since I was a kid so, to sign a new deal, I’m really pleased"

Nile John was brimming with pride after putting pen to paper on a new contract with the Club until 2025.

The midfielder cares deeply about Spurs; a place he has called home since joining our Academy as a seven-year-old.

“I’ve been here since I was a kid so, to get this done, I’m really pleased,” he said. “It’s been all my life, really. From the earliest memories of Frenford and the Lodge so, to be here, carrying it on, it's something that I hold deeply.”

After making his senior debut in our 4-0 victory over Wolfsberger AC in the Europa League in February, 2021, at 17, he continued to train with the first team during pre-season the following campaign and made his first start in Lilywhite against Pacos Ferreira in the Europa Conference League.

Nile looks back fondly on those memories, especially his time learning under different managers and looking up to senior players who were in the squad at the time – with some having a lasting impact on his development.

“That was a fast day,” he said of his first senior appearance. “It was a blessing to get that moment on the pitch and showed what I had been working towards.

“Working under different managers, coaches and players has been really beneficial as well. When I first came up, Moussa Sissoko and Serge Aurier helped me a lot, they put their arms around me, just like a little brother, so I really appreciated those guys for the time and effort they gave me. Then Harry Kane as well, I think as a young boy looking up to what Harry has done, it is something that is second to none.”

Now 20, Nile played 21 times in the Premier League 2 for our Under-21s last term and stepped up to captain the side five times in that competition - a leadership role he enjoys. He was also entrusted with the armband in both the EFL Trophy and Under-19 UEFA Youth League, with the variety of competitions and opponents helping Nile continue to develop his game.

“I enjoyed those responsibilities,” said Nile of wearing the captain's armband. “It was something that the manager, Wayne Burnett, gave his trust in me and I hope that I repaid it through what I had done for him on the pitch over the last two or three seasons that I have been with him. I was grateful for that moment he gave me the armband.

“The main learning was how can I take each game into the next one. I played in the EFL Trophy, the Youth League as well as the league so I was trying to bring the different types of opposition, different types of style of play into the next game. It is always a good opportunity to play different types of football.”

Looking ahead, Nile is determined to impress new Men's First Team Head Coach Ange Postecoglou this season and go one step further than 2020/21 – when he was part of the Premier League matchday squad in our season finale at Leicester City – to make his league debut dream a reality.

Whatever happens, Nile is excited about things to come and will continue to play with a smile on his face.

“It would be a dream to make my Premier League debut, it has been a long-awaited for a while,” said the 20-year-old. “I was on the bench against Leicester, and I remember that moment, at the King Power Stadium, the atmosphere was nuts, so I would like to be in that surreal moment again.

“I want to put an impression on the new manager and stamp my authority to potentially make a few appearances under him but enjoy every moment as much as I can. I still have that enjoyment while I play football so, as long as I can keep that up, I have no doubts that I can do well.”

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