Tottenham icon Jermain Defoe took his latest steps towards a career in coaching last night… at Arsenal’s famed Hale End training base.
Defoe is recognised as one of Spurs’ greatest ever strikers and is revered among their fanbase after scoring 143 goals for the club - placing him seventh in Tottenham’s all-time leading scorers list.
The former England international is currently a Tottenham academy coach and ambassador but Mail Sport can reveal Defoe entered enemy territory on Thursday evening as he continued his own development at Arsenal’s academy HQ.
It is understood Defoe was part of the coaching team for an Under-14s session at the Gunners’ junior facility in east London on Thursday evening, as he provided his expert knowledge to the young prospects at Arsenal’s junior base.
But Tottenham fans needn’t worry about the prospect of Defoe defecting to the red half of north London any time soon.
Defoe, along with a host of other coaches and ex-professionals, was attending an FA course.
The governing body have held similar sessions at Burnley and Brighton in recent months.
Nevertheless onlookers at Hale End were taken aback by the 41-year-old’s presence given his rich Spurs connections.
Defoe announced his retirement in March 2022 following a spell with Sunderland - finishing with a career total of 324 goals.
Spurs immediately brought Defoe back to the club, opening the door to their former idol to complete his badges as he worked towards a career in coaching. He has since earned a coaching role with the club’s Under-18s.
Defoe hit the headlines this week after his move from Spurs to Portsmouth in 2008 was thrust back into the limelight following an investigation by a national newspaper.
The Football Association has confirmed it is looking into allegations of potential breaches of agent rules with regards to the transaction.