LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur fullback Djed Spence made history on Tuesday night when he became the first Muslim player to take to the field for England in a senior men’s international football match.
The 25-year-old defender came on as a substitute in the 69th minute during England’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade, which Thomas Tuchel’s side won 5-0.
Spence emerged from Fulham’s youth system before breaking through at Middlesbrough and spending time on loan at Nottingham Forest during their promotion-winning season in 2022. He earned a move to Spurs that summer, and had loan spells in France, Italy and at Leeds United before returning to London.
He previously featured for England at U-21 level but his debut in Belgrade marks the first time an openly Muslim footballer has played for the senior national men’s team.
Unbeaten England top their qualifying group on 15 points, seven clear of second-place Albania.
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