EXCLUSIVE: Phil Hay gives update on Djed Spence after shocking loan termination at Leeds as Journalist says Spurs did not recall player from loan at Elland Road with fans unhappy at decision
Djed Spence has returned to Tottenham Hotspur after Leeds United decided to terminate his season-long loan at Elland Road, according to Phil Hay.
Hay reported via The Athletic on Thursday (4 January) that the Whites have triggered a “break clause” to cut his season-long loan short, having made just seven appearances since the summer.
It had been a tricky start to the season for the 23-year-old, plagued by a knee injury that kept him out of the side for two months. But once fit again, he was utilised at left-back as well as his natural right-back position, in the absence of Sam Byram.
Away this week but Leeds have sent Djed Spence back to Tottenham. Leeds’ decision to terminate the loan, rather than a case of Spurs recalling him. @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/BjGZZfdnXm
It seems like an unusual move for Leeds to make. With Destiny Ugodie and Pedro Porro flying in the Premier League, there will be little room for Spence to stamp his mark in the squad but he was finally getting a look-in at Elland Road.
The full-back made his Leeds debut against Sheffield Wednesday in September but was not seen again until December when Leeds travelled to Blackburn Rovers and he was given 20 minutes on the pitch.
However, since that cameo, Daniel Farke started Spence in the following five fixtures and looked to have cemented a spot in Leeds’ starting XI. Although that may only be in the absence of Junior Firpo and Byram, he was still gaining valuable experience.
But it is fair to say that the young defender is yet to reach the same heights as his Nottingham Forest days, helping earn them promotion back to the Premier League before Spurs snapped him up.
He then spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Rennes but only made 10 appearances. It is slightly sad to witness Spence’s career decline since reaching such a pinnacle in the Championship but Spurs will surely have another plan for him.
As for Leeds, it will be interesting to see why they cut Spence’s loan deal short, suggesting that the club could be in the market this January for another full-back.
