Tottenham Hotspur have handed new squad numbers to two of the club’s most promising talents, ahead of their pre-season tour to Asia.
Spurs have already played two friendlies since their pre-season began earlier in July, with two victories courtesy of 7-2 thumping of SPL team Hearts, and a 2-0 win over Championship side, QPR.
Manager Ange Postecogolou has since picked his squad for Spurs’ summer tour of Japan and South Korea, and will be taking 31 players – including a clutch of their exciting young talent.
Players to make the squad include forwards Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear, and midfielders Luca Bergvall and Archie Gray, will feature, as well as established first-team talent, such as Son Hueng-min, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.
And it’s two first-team regulars and fan-favourites that have been given new squad numbers ahead of the trip, in recognition of their growing seniority within the team.
Two Tottenham fan-favourites were handed new squad numbers, ahead of their tour to Asia
Posted on X, Spurs’ official account revealed goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been given the No. 1 jersey, trading it for the No. 13 he wore last season.
It’s a change that signifies the Italian international’s firm grip on the role, having all but sealed his place as first-choice shot-stopper with a string of incredible performances across the season.
The 27-year-old joined Tottenham at the beginning of the 2023-24 season, having been signed on a five-year contract from Serie A side, Empoli, in a deal reportedly worth an initial £17.2million.
There were questions whether the relatively unknown keeper would handle the pressures of the Premier League – not least of which because he was filling the gloves of former team captain, Hugo Lloris.
Vicario’s No. 13 will not be travelling far, either. In fact, it will remain in the first team, as it’s been handed to left-back, Destiny Udogie. Udogie received his favoured No. 13, in exchange for No. 38.
Guglielmo Vicario is officially Tottenham Hotspur’s No. 1, after wearing No. 13 last season
Destiny Udogie swaps No. 38 jersey for his favoured No. 13 – last seen on Guglielmo Vicario
The second Italian international in the team, Udogie has become a firm fan-favourite for his ownership of a position the club has sorely been lacking in. Like his compatriot Vicario, Udogie had been playing in Serie A, where he joined the club from Udinese.
Tottenham signed the talented 21-year-old on a five-year-deal for a reported £16.8million, back in 2022. Only 20 at the time, Udogie was loaned back to Udinese for the 2022-23 season.
Since making his debut for Spurs, the youngster has impressed with his pace, range of passing and ball-carrying ability. Udogie has suffered with injuries through the season, with his absence been keenly felt in a number of important games.