Jermain Colin Defoe (born 7 October 1982) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, and the England national football team,

Defoe began his career with Charlton Athletic, joining their youth team at age fourteen, before moving to West Ham United aged sixteen, and rising through the ranks. He made his professional debut for West Ham in 2000, and after a season-long loan spell at Bournemouth during the 2000–01 season, established himself in the West Ham lineup. A move to Tottenham in 2004 soon followed, and Defoe also spent a year at Portsmouth after he was deemed surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane. He has since returned to Tottenham in the January 2009 transfer window. Defoe made his England debut in 2004 and as of September 2010, has made 44 appearances, scoring 15 goals.

Early life

Born in Beckton, London, to a St. Lucian mother and Dominican father, Defoe attended St Joachim Primary School in Custom House[3] and St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School in Forest Gate, London.[4] He joined the Sunday league team Senrab, well known in London for producing players such as Lee Bowyer, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Ledley King,[5] and then joined the FA National School of Excellence at Lilleshall, Shropshire, as a 14-year-old in 1997. While he was there he attended Idsall School.[3]

Club career

West Ham United

Defoe was spotted playing football by Charlton Athletic who enrolled him at the FA National School of Excellence at Lilleshall Hall in 1997.[3] Two years later, he took the controversial decision, aged 16, to turn professional with West Ham United, following which Charlton were subsequently awarded a compensation package rising to £1.4 million depending on Premiership and international appearances.[3] At West Ham, he was a member of the Under-19 team that won the Premier Academy League title in 1999–00, scoring twice against Arsenal in the play-off final,[3] and went on to make his first-team debut in a League Cup game against Walsall in September 2000, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win.[6]

The following season, he joined Second Division club Bournemouth on a near season-long loan, where he scored in ten consecutive games, equalling John Aldridge's post-war record.[7] He scored 18 goals in 29 league appearances for Bournemouth.[8] West Ham manager Harry Redknapp tipped him for stardom, saying, "He's done great. I sent him out to Bournemouth to get some experience playing league football and he's coped marvellously. To score 10 goals in 10 games is a terrific achievement. He's a bright lad who's full of confidence. Nothing knocks him, he's a typical goal-scorer. If he misses, he'll be there the next time looking for a goal. He's a kid with a big future."[9]

Defoe finished as the West Ham's top scorer in the 2001–02 season despite being used primarily as a substitute by manager Glenn Roeder,[3] scoring 14 goals in 39 league and cup appearances, including the only goal in a 1–0 away win against Manchester United in December 2001, as West Ham finished seventh in the Premiership.[10] He scored a further 11 goals in 42 league and cup appearances in the 2002–03 season but was unable to prevent West Ham from being relegated.[8][11]

Less than 24 hours after the club had been relegated, Defoe made a written request for a transfer, saying "As much as I love West Ham United I feel that now is the right time for me to move on in my career. This is very much a career decision. I am very ambitious and hungry to achieve at the highest levels of the game for both club and country." The timing of his request however drew criticism from both fans and team-mates and was turned down by the club.[12][13] He later apologised to supporters, saying "I mishandled that move and I can only apologise. I'm young and I've learned from it. I still played my hardest for West Ham and gave them 100% and want to thank the fans for their support."[14]

Defoe began the 2003–04 season with West Ham but a refusal to sign a new contract and disciplinary problems, including three sending offs, which saw him play only 22 games out of a possible 34, led to West Ham accepting an offer from Tottenham Hotspur for him in the January transfer window.[15] Defoe had scored 41 goals in 105 league and cup appearances for West Ham.[8]

Tottenham Hotspur

Defoe joined Tottenham in January 2004 for an initial fee of £6 million, rising to £7 million depending on "specific performance criteria", and with Bobby Zamora joining West Ham.[15] Manager David Pleat said, "I can't think of a British striker at his age who has achieved as much in such a short space of time. His goal record for a 21-year-old is quite exceptional. I hope he will have a fine career at Tottenham."[16] Defoe marked his arrival at Tottenham with a goal on his debut in the 4–3 home win over Portsmouth in February 2004[17] and added a further six in the remainder of the 2003–04 season, scoring seven goals in 15 matches.[8] He then scored 13 goals in 36 matches in the Premier League, including a hat-trick in a 5–1 win over Southampton in December 2004,[18] and nine goals in eight games in the FA Cup and League Cup, in the 2004–05 season.[8] He also received the clubs player of the year award for the 2004 calendar year as voted by season ticket holders and Spurs members. Despite speculation linking him with other clubs, Defoe signed a new four-and-a-half year contract with Tottenham in April 2005.[19] The following season was not as profitable for Defoe and Spurs manager Martin Jol used Defoe in rotation with Robbie Keane and Mido providing the competition for a starting position; Defoe started 23 times and came on as substitute 13 times, scoring nine goals.[8]

Defoe made 49 league and cup appearances for Tottenham, scoring 18 goals, during the 2006–07 season as Tottenham competed in the UEFA Cup as well as the domestic competitions. He appeared to bite West Ham player Javier Mascherano on the shoulder during Tottenham's 1–0 win over West Ham in October 2006, sparking a melee between players of both sides.[20] The FA declined to take action against Defoe as the referee, Steve Bennett, had booked Defoe for the incident.[21] He scored his 50th goal for Tottenham in the 2–1 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day in December 2006, in which he scored both goals,[22] and scored in Tottenham's 2–0 win over Charlton in May 2007, which condemned his former club to relegation to the Championship.[23] Defoe later offered his sympathy for Charlton and expressed his wishes for them to bounce straight back to the Premiership the following season, in a post-match interview. During the summer of 2007, there was speculation about Defoe's future at Tottenham following the arrival of Darren Bent for a fee of £16.5 million. Defoe however insisted that he would stay at Tottenham and fight for his place, saying "I'm really excited about the new season and the prospect of another campaign in Europe. We have made some good signings and are now stronger and better equipped to compete in all competitions."[24]

On 20 September, Defoe came on as a substitute against Famagusta and scored twice, scoring his first goals of the season. He was then axed from the squad in the next league game against Bolton on 23 September. On 25 November 2007 he missed a crucial penalty against former club West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground in the final minute of the game which would have won the game for Spurs. As a result, the game finished 1–1.

Portsmouth

Defoe joined Portsmouth in January 2008 for £6 million.[25] He scored the equalising goal on his debut, a 1–1 draw at home to Chelsea.[26] In March 2008, he was unable to play against Tottenham as the Premier League ruled that he was ineligible to do so as he was initially signed on loan in January 2008.[27] The following week in Portsmouth's game against Wigan he scored two goals, becoming the first ever Portsmouth player to score in his first five home games. Due to appearances in Tottenham's third and fourth round ties Defoe found himself cup-tied for all the subsequent matches of Pompey's successful FA Cup 2007-08 campaign. This was particularly unfortunate as Defoe's transfer also resulted in him missing out on playing in Spurs' 2008 Football League Cup Final victory over Chelsea despite appearing in every match en route to the final. Defoe ended the 2007–08 season with 8 goals in 12 appearances for Portsmouth.

Defoe scored his and Portsmouth's first goal of the 2008–09 season on 30 August 2008 with the opener in a 3–0 win at Everton and on 13 September 2008 scored the club's first home goals of 2008–09 with a brace against Middlesbrough. Defoe also contributed a goal and an assist in Portsmouth's first ever match in major European competition against Vitória Guimarães on 18 September 2008.

Return to Tottenham

2008–09 season

During January 2009, Portsmouth chairman Peter Storrie revealed Jermain Defoe's intentions to leave the club in the near future. This came after joining the club only in the same transfer window of the previous year.[28] It was reported that Defoe's former club Tottenham Hotspur made a formal approach for the striker but no agreement was reached; Spurs manager Harry Redknapp described the clubs as "miles apart in their valuation of the player", suggesting that Portsmouth wanted "in excess of £20m".[29] After negotiations, Portsmouth accepted a bid from Tottenham thought to be around £15.75m (including fees owed to Tottenham for the previous transfers of Younes Kaboul and Pedro Mendes and waiving a £4m sell-on clause that had also been negotiated during his transfer from Spurs to Portsmouth) on 6 January 2009.[30] The player had agreed to a five-year deal at an estimated £60,000 a week. Defoe was confirmed as a Tottenham player by his new club on 9 January 2009.[31] Defoe was presented at White Hart Lane before the start of Spurs' League Cup clash against Burnley, after Spurs fans made it clear they wanted the striker back at White Hart Lane.[32]

He made his return debut on 11 January 2009 in a Premier League game against Wigan, scoring his first goal against former club Portsmouth at White Hart Lane on 18 January 2009.[33] Tottenham went on to draw the match 1–1. He also scored his second goal in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg loss at Burnley, which helped Spurs book a place in the final via the away goals rule. He scored 3 goals in his first 4 games before getting an injury which meant that for the second time under Harry Redknapp's management at Portsmouth and Tottenham, Defoe would not go to Wembley and would miss out on a final. He returned for Spurs against Newcastle on 19 April in which Tottenham won the game 1–0.[34] He scored his first goal since his return from injury in a 2–1 win against Manchester City and helped his team secure 8th place in the league.[35]

2009–10 season

Defoe received the number 18 shirt after the loan spell of former Manchester United player Fraizer Campbell had ended, the same kit number that he wore during his first spell with Tottenham Hotspur.

On 19 August 2009, Defoe scored the 3rd hat-trick of his career in a 5–1 away victory over Hull City in the second game of the 2009/10 season.[36] Following the match, his manager Harry Redknapp stated his high opinion of Defoe, "with Ronaldo gone, he can push to be the (Premier League) top scorer".[37][38][39] After a fine run of form which saw him score 7 goals for club and country, Defoe was named Barclays Player of the Month for August 2009.[40] On 12 September 2009, Defoe scored after 38 seconds with an overhead kick against 2008–09 Premier League champions Manchester United in a match which ended in a 3–1 loss for Tottenham, taking his tally for the 2009–10 season to 5 goals in 5 games.[41] On 23 September 2009, Defoe scored a header during Tottenham's 5–1 win over Preston.[42][43] Defoe scored a goal and was sent off during the match against his former club, Portsmouth.[44]

Defoe scored five goals at White Hart Lane in a 9–1 thrashing of Wigan Athletic on 22 November 2009. This included the second fastest hat-trick in Premier League history, which was scored in seven minutes.[45] In doing so, Defoe became only the third player to score five goals in one Premier League match after Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole.[46][47][48][49] After the game, Harry Redknapp further asserted his belief that Defoe would go on to be the Premier League's top scorer in 2009–10,[50]. Redknapp later said that Rooney is the best all round attacking player but Defoe is the best finisher in the England and should be regular for England.[51] On February 3, Defoe claimed his third hat-trick of the season in an FA Cup fourth round replay against Leeds United at Elland Road with Spurs winning 3–1.[52][53] His rich vein of form continued on February 21, with another goal in the Premier League, against Wigan.[54] His most recent goal was a penalty in their win against Chelsea, which was the second London club they beat in just 4 days, after a famous 2–1 win over Arsenal.

International career

Defoe with England

Defoe's form for Bournemouth in the 2000–01 season saw him selected for the England U21s team to play Mexico U21s in May 2001, and he marked his debut with the second goal as England U21s won 3–0.[55] He went on to gain 23 caps for England U21s,[56] scoring seven goals.[57] Defoe made his debut for the senior England team in a 1–0 defeat to Sweden in March 2004, coming on as an early substitute for the injured Darius Vassell.[58] England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson singled out Defoe's display for praise in an otherwise poor performance by England, saying, "Jermain Defoe did very well – I liked what I saw. He showed that he can do very well even in international football and that he is technically very good. Jermain is quick and he knows where the goal is, so I liked him very much."[59] He was not however selected for the England squad to take part in Euro 2004.[60] He made his first start for England in a World Cup qualifying match against Poland in September 2004, scoring in a 2–1 win.[61] As he did six months earlier, Eriksson paid tribute to Defoe, saying, ""Jermain is a great talent. It couldn't have been much better for him. He did very well. He scored one goal and created other chances as well. He is a great player who will always score goals."[62]

Despite appearing regularly for England in World Cup qualifying games and friendly matches, Defoe was not named in the provisional England squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and named only on a five-man standby list.[63] He joined the squad for training in Germany but returned to England when Wayne Rooney was cleared to play after having suffered a foot injury in April.[64] He confessed that he was baffled by his omission, saying, "I don't know why I'm not out there. I've been involved in every squad for the last two years and feel I've played a part in helping us to qualify. I have never felt fitter and sharper than I was in training and believe I could have scored goals in the tournament. It's a strange decision and everybody I speak to thinks so as well."[65] Eriksson said after the tournament that he did not think that Defoe would have been a better option than 17 year old Theo Walcott, who had been selected for the England squad, adding, "If I had thought so I would have picked him. I've seen him 15 or 20 times this season and I have to take the best players who I think will be good for us in the future."[66] He made a further explanation a few months later, saying, "Jermain had a very bad season. I don't think he deserved to go to the World Cup. Taking Theo was the right decision."[67]

Steve McClaren, who took over as England manager after the World Cup, selected Defoe for England in his first match, a friendly against Greece in August 2006.[68] Defoe continued to be selected and to appear for England in Euro 2008 qualifying games and friendly matches.[8]

Defoe was initially omitted from Fabio Capello's first squad with the new manager insisting he would only select players who were playing regular club football. One day after scoring on his Portsmouth debut Defoe was recalled to the England squad to replace the injured Gabriel Agbonlahor.[69] Defoe took his international goals tally up to five in the Caribbean on 1 June 2008 when he scored twice against Trinidad and Tobago and in the process staking a claim for a more regular place in the international team.[70]

Defoe scored his first competitive international goal of 2008 with the final goal in England's 5–1 win over Kazakhstan on 11 October 2008 after coming on as a late sub for Wayne Rooney. He also scored two goals in three minutes against Andorra in a 2009 World Cup qualifier.[71]

His 2009–10 season got off to the perfect start as he came from the bench to score both goals in the 2–2 draw against the Netherlands at the Amsterdam Arena on 12 August 2009 and was announced as man of the match.[72]

On 23 June 2010, he scored the only goal in England's third group stage match against Slovenia in the World Cup.[73] This goal gave England the win they needed to progress into the Round of 16.[74]

He then opened up the scoring for England's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign against Bulgaria, volleying home from the 6 yard box after a cross from Ashley Cole, whose initial effort was saved by the Bulgarian goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov. Defoe went on to score his first international hat-trick.[75]

Personal life

Defoe is a Christian.[77]

On 24 April 2009, his 26 year old half-brother, Jade 'Gavin' Defoe, known to many as the grime artist, Esco (of Slew Dem), died of head injuries following an assault in Leytonstone, London.[78]

Defoe has dated Danielle Lloyd and was engaged to model Charlotte Mears