I know we have a transfer thread and we can easily talk about the subject over there but I felt this player deserves a special mention and his own thread. As I'm sure most of you have seen, the club has agreed a deal with Toronto FC for the permanent sale of Jermain Defoe, with the lad to make the move at the end of February. JD has had two spells with the club, from 2004-2008 he played in 177 games in all competitions and scored 64 goals. He then had a short stint with Portsmouth and returned in 2009 where up until now, has played in 184 games in all competitions and scored 78 goals. Thus resulting in a total of 361 games scoring 142 goals. That goal ratio is enviable to many great strikers around the World, what makes it even more remarkable for me is that throughout JD's career with us, he's often been known as the 2nd or 3rd choice striker having had to compete with the likes of Freddy Kanoute, Robbie Keane, Mido, Dimitar Berbatov, Darren Bent, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Peter Crouch, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado (plus others) among the years. He's always maintained his affinity with Spurs and the fans since joining and has left a message on the OS saying: "Everybody knows how much this Club means to me and I will play my heart out for the team and the fans until my last kick for the Club. I have had a fantastic time here and the fans have always been amazing to me," said Jermain. "I am grateful for the opportunity for myself and my family to experience living overseas and for me to play in the MLS with a contract that will take me to the age of 35. I have no doubt I shall be coming back as a fan supporting the team in the years to come too." I'd like to take the opportunity to say thank you Jermain, you've been a great player and great servant to the football club, thank you for the goals and memories and you'll always be welcome back at any time. I don't think it's wrong to say that Jermain leaves the club as a legend. "Jermain Defoe, he's a yiddo".
Glad he got to get the European goalscoring record before leaving, it will take a lot to beat that. Favourite goals? I always loved the one he scored against Wigan(pre 9-1) where he swivelled 360 to get past a defender before slotting it in with his left. His one against West Ham last season wasn't too bad either. My favourite though is the one he scored against Boro some years ago. I remember him picking it up just inside their half and they were **** scared of him running straight past him so they backed off and backed off until Defoe just decided to smash it in from about 30 yards. It was a typical goal for him and he made it look like the easiest thing in the World.
Best goal? Blimey there's a good few. There was a period in his earlier years where he used to score some powerful top corner goals without getting much of a run up, he'd just pull his leg back and get ferocious power into hitting the ball. I remember one against Arsenal where he ran in from the left then hit a shot over the top of the keeper. Like you mentioned YV last years one against West Ham was great. I think my favourite though was against Αnorthosis Famagusta at WHL, where he picked the ball up from outside the area and hit a sort of chipped shot that just flew into the net, I was just like "How did he do that?!".
It's been a pleasure to have him at WHL and I'm sure he'll always be welcome back. I'm glad that he's not done anything to spoil his affinity with the fans, like re-signing for West Ham. Top European goalscorer, most goals in one Premier League game, 5th highest goalscorer in our history and he's been through some hard times during both periods at the club. Wonder if he'll take Crouch with him? It'd be good to see them reunited on the pitch.
Thank you Jermain. A player many fans including myself have taken for granted sometimes. Some great goals for us and some special memories.
He will be sorely missed around the club and will always be remembered fondly. His unstinting behind the scenes help and advice and encouragement to all our younger players, along with his constant involvement in Spurs charity activities supporting underprivileged children, has endeared him to so many of us. I think it is right the club is allowing him to do what he wants. Having endured some personal tragedies, it is correct we send him on his way with all our good wishes. He has been a good servant. Thanks for all the goals and the memories JD. You will "always be a Yiddo".
Hear! Hear! Señor Soldado could learn a thing or two about effort and commitment from JD. Sad to see him go, but no complaints.
Yes, he was useful for us down the years, but in recent years he simply didn't produce the goods, which is why he's off to Canada, rather than to another prem club. It was time for him to leave about three seasons ago, if we're all being honest.
Got 11 league goals in each of the previous two seasons, not that bad considering he's usually 2nd/ 3rd choice, it's more than a good few 1st choice strikers get.
I'm sure that he had offers from other Premier League clubs, but I doubt that they offered him £90k pw for 4 years. Probably a good thing, as I'm sure he'd have come back to haunt us.
On his day, unplayable, and a pleasure to watch, some of his worldies out of nothing made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. All the best Jermaine, try not to be offside too much! , and don't give up on England.
Overall Defoe will be remembered well, not just for his goals but his attitude and I've no doubt he will be looking forward to scoring not just on the pitch, but off it! Last season his early form carried the team. I know some fans where celebrating our record points total, well Defoe played his part. And as mentioned, ending his career as being our all time European scorer, 5th all time scorer and a scorer of some fantastic goals means unless you have another agenda, you can only remember him as a great servant to the club.
Has he been through all of the fillies in London then? All the best Yiddo, Toronto's gain is our loss. By the time he gets back he should have a clean licence, that's a bonus.
It's an odd time for him to move abroad, he must be doing some serious harm to his England chances 4 months before a World Cup. Maybe he's given up on his England career. Keane and Becks managed to retain their International spots from the MLS, I'm not sure JD will manage when Sturridge and Rooney are already guaranteed picks. All the best Jermain, hope to see you back at the club in the future. Looking forward to giving him a proper send-off at the Lane.
