25-Year-Old Spence Set to Become First-Ever Muslim England Player
He hopes to inspire future generations of young British Muslims.
The Tottenham full-back, who has six caps for England Under-21s, has been called up and included as a player for the senior squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia later this week.
If he plays, this would mark his first-ever cap for England’s men’s team, and would also make history as being the first-ever Muslim player to represent England.
Whilst the Football Association doesn’t track or keep a record of a player’s personal beliefs and religion, various sports journalists have pointed out that Spence is the first outwardly born-Muslim man to play for England.
The 25-year-old expressed his gratitude at the historic moment as he said to the BBC: “It’s a blessing – it’s just amazing. I don’t have the words really.
“I pray a lot, I give gratitude to God. In the toughest moments of my life, the darkest moments, I’ve always believed that God has always been by my side. It’s a big thing for me, my faith.”
‘Inspiring British Muslims’
Djed Spence’s full name is Tehuti Djed-Hotep Spence and he was born to a Kenyan mother and a Jamaican father.
Spence sees the situation as a chance to inspire the future generations of Muslims in Britain.
“If I can do it, you can do it. Not just Muslim kids, any child of any faith. Put your mind to something and you can do it.”
Spence began his career at Fulham’s youth academy before signing with Middlesbrough in 2018.
In 2021, he joined Nottingham Forest on loan, playing a key role in their promotion to the Premier League, earning EFL Championship Player of the Month and Goal of the Month for March 2022, and a spot in the EFL and PFA Championship Team of the Season.
Tottenham Hotspur signed Spence in July 2022 for £20 million, though his early tenure was challenging under manager Antonio Conte, who described him as a “club investment,” impacting his confidence.
Limited to six appearances, he was loaned to Stade Rennais (2023), Leeds United (2023) and Genoa (2024).
Injuries and limited minutes marked these spells, but he returned to Tottenham in 2024, becoming a regular under Ange Postecoglou.
Read More:
He made his first Tottenham start on December 15, 2024, against Southampton, scored his first Premier League goal for Spurs on February 22, 2025, against Ipswich Town, and was named Player of the Match in a 1-0 win over Manchester United on February 16, 2025.
He was given his debut for England’s Under-21s in March 2022 against Albania by head coach Lee Carsley.
“I love Djed. I think he’s such a good player, so exciting, so attacking, athletic, a quiet guy but humble,” Carsley told the BBC earlier this year.
Around 3.9 million Muslims live in the UK making up 6.5% of the total population.
Despite this, there haven’t been any Muslim players representing England on the international stage.
Source: 5pillarsuk.com
