Sunderland’s Defoe reveals faith in Kane

When Jermain Defoe left Tottenham Hotspur in 2014 he knew his number 18 shirt was going to a good home.

Harry Kane was yet to score his first Premier League goal when Defoe jetted off to Toronto, but Defoe suspected he would always come good.

Kane, who now wears No10, has gone on to hit 50 Premier League goals for Spurs in double-quick time.

And, as Defoe prepares to return to White Hart Lane with current employers Sunderland on Sunday, he says he is looking forward to seeing Kane at close quarters once more.

(Scott Heppell/AFP/Getty Images)

“I have great memories from my time there – the players I played with and the fans in particular – but one of the reasons why going back is nice is because players like Kane have come through and done well,” Defoe said.

“He’s scored so many goals but I’m not surprised because when I was there I felt, at times, that he should have been given a chance rather than splashing out so much money on other players.

“He was always someone that I looked at and thought could do well and score goals in the Premier League; he always scored goals in the Under-21s, looked sharp in training and didn’t look out of place, so I always believed it was a matter of time before he came through.

“I remember when I left the club he came up to me and said that he wanted to have the number 18 shirt, and I did because if there was anyone I was going to give it to it was him because he’s a natural goalscorer.”