Tottenham new boy Djed Spence ‘ready for the challenge’ of the Premier League

Djed Spence said the opportunity to play Premier League football with Tottenham Hotspur was “a dream come true” after completing his move from Middlesbrough.

The right-back signed a five-year contract with Antonio Conte’s side following a deal believed to be worth an initial £12.5million, potentially rising to £20million due to add-ons.

Spence, who is Spurs’ sixth arrival of the summer, has spent his entire career in the Sky Bet Championship, including helping Nottingham Forest to promotion last season during a successful loan switch from Boro.

“It’s amazing, I’m thankful that I’m here and that I’m going to get the opportunity to play for this club,” he told Tottenham’s website.

“It’s been a long journey in my career so far, it’s been hard at times but it’s been good as well, and I’ve been working hard to get to where I am now.

“It’s a dream come true to play in the Premier League at a big club like Tottenham Hotspur.

“As a kid, you watch it (the Premier League) from when you’re young, so it was a target of mine and I’ve finally reached it, so I’m happy.

“In the Premier League you have high-intensity, good technical players – it will be hard but I think I’m ready for the challenge.”

Tottenham secured Champions League qualification on the final day of the 2021-22 campaign and manager Conte has swiftly set about assembling a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts during the upcoming season.

The arrival of England Under-21 international Spence follows earlier moves for Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison and Clement Lenglet.

“You’ve got some of the best players who play here, so it’s a privilege to be here and I can’t wait to get going,” he continued.

“To go from watching some of the players on