Tottenham Hotspur’s surprise signing last year was the right one. Left-back Destiny Udogie, 21, is close to re-signing.
“Tottenham and Udogie are close to signing a new contract,” The Athletic reported on Wednesday (Nov. 11). His original contract ran until 2027, but he will be rewarded with a new deal that includes a salary increase.”
Udogie was signed by Tottenham in the summer of 2022. The Italian left-back grew up in Udinese, Italy. “Udogie, who spent the 2022-23 season on loan, has been one of Tottenham’s standout performers this season,” The Athletic writes.
According to the outlet, Udogie played primarily as a winger in a three-back role. It was unclear how he would adapt in the back four. “Udogie was signed by former Tottenham manager Antonio Conte, 53,” says The Athletic. The club sees him as a wing-back who will play in a 3-4-3 formation. It was a position he played at Udinese, so he should be familiar with it.”
Udogie returned to the Spurs ahead of the 2023-24 season. Things were different. Tottenham had a new coach, Ange Postecoglou, 58. Postecoglou was known for his aggressive back four tactics at Celtic.
According to The Athletic, Udogie said, “On my first day at Tottenham, Postecoglou contacted me directly. He told me that I would be a key player at Tottenham. I explained what I wanted. It was a great motivation.”
In fact, Postecoglou has been utilizing Udogie in preseason, hinting at the possibility of playing him. It’s not like it was under Conte. Last season, the starting left back was Ivan Perisic, 34. Udogie won the competition for the starting job and became a key left-back in his first season with Tottenham.
He even scored his debut goal. Udogie registered his first official goal since joining Tottenham on Nov. 11 at Newcastle United, sliding in a cross from Son Heung-min (31) with his left foot in the first half.
A new contract seems imminent. ‘The Athletic’ reports, “The Tottenham board thinks Udogie has improved a lot since joining the team. They say the boy has become a man.”