Brennan's support from the stars | Matchday programme exclusive

Brennan Johnson has revealed he’s received words of encouragement from some of the game’s modern-day greats at various stages of his burgeoning journey.

As the transfer deadline day signing from Nottingham Forest prepares to return to Premier League action this weekend for the visit of Aston Villa, it transpires the Welsh international has received messages from the likes of David Beckham and our former star and Brennan’s ex-Welsh team-mate Gareth Bale.

Brennan’s father, David, played with Beckham in the Manchester United academy and the pair have stayed in touch, with England’s former captain messaging our number 22 when he signed for us.

Speaking in the matchday programme for our clash with Villa on Sunday, Brennan explained: “He just wished me all the best at Tottenham. I’m not claiming to be mates with him, he has sent me some nice messages after going up (to the Premier League) with Forest and when I signed here he sent me a message of good luck.

“Coming from a player like that it’s crazy. It’s disbelief for me that he’d message me and wish me good luck. I don’t take it for granted. I appreciate him taking the time because I know he’s very busy.”

As for Gareth, he understands what it takes to become a leader for both Club and country, with 53 goals in 166 league games in Lilywhite while he is Wales’ record goalscorer and appearance holder, and the legendary forward has been publicly backing his younger compatriot in the media and on a personal level as well.

“Watching him and seeing how well he did here and how much he progressed as a player was definitely a factor to me wanting to come to this club,” Brennan adds. “Of course, it was a different time, different managers, but it's just the club Spurs are, they're really developing and they're always forward-thinking.

“He was one of my favourite players growing up and watching him play for this club did give me a drive to want to do it as well. Once I signed, he wished me good luck which was really nice of him.”

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