Drew Spence
Drew Spence (born 23 October 1992) is an English-born Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur in the Women's Super League and the Jamaica women's national team.[1][2] Born in London to Jamaican heritage parents, Spence began her senior career with Chelsea, where she spent 14 years, making 238 appearances and scoring 50 goals across all competitions, establishing herself as the club's longest-serving player during that period.[3][2] Spence initially earned a cap for the England national team in 2015 but switched to represent Jamaica in 2021, citing her heritage and desire to contribute to the Reggae Girlz's development.[4] She has since become a key figure for Jamaica, scoring in significant matches such as the 2023 CONCACAF W Olympic play-in against Canada.[5] Her transfer to Tottenham in 2023 followed Chelsea's decision not to renew her contract, marking a new chapter after her long tenure at the Blues.[3] Spence stands at 5 feet 5 inches and is right-footed, known for her midfield versatility.[2][1]Early life
Family heritage and background
Drew Spence was born on 23 October 1992 in London, England, to a father of Jamaican descent.[6] [7] Her paternal family's Jamaican origins provided the eligibility for her to represent Jamaica at the international level, a connection she later embraced after initial appearances for England.[6] Spence's upbringing in London exposed her to a multicultural environment reflective of her mixed heritage, though specific details about her mother's background remain undocumented in public records.[6] This dual cultural influence has been noted in her decision to switch national allegiances, with her father's side of the family particularly supportive of her Jamaican representation.[7]Introduction to football and youth development
Spence began her involvement in organized football during her early teenage years in London, initially training at the Arsenal Centre of Excellence alongside future Chelsea teammate Gilly Flaherty.[8] She subsequently progressed through Fulham's youth team, developing foundational skills as a midfielder before transferring to Chelsea in 2008 at age 15.[9][10] At Chelsea, Spence integrated into the club's Centre of Excellence, where she refined her tenacious playing style, emphasizing energy, tackling, and central midfield contributions under youth coaching structures.[11] Her rapid adaptation allowed her to balance academy training with college studies, marking an early demonstration of professional discipline in a semi-professional era for women's football.[12] This period laid the groundwork for her senior breakthrough, as she emerged as a promising talent in Chelsea's youth ranks by 2009.[13] Spence's youth development emphasized transition to senior-level demands, including physical robustness and tactical awareness, which propelled her debut appearance on February 15, 2009, as a substitute in Chelsea's 6–0 FA Women's Cup fifth-round victory over Rotherham United.[13] At just 16 years old, this milestone highlighted the effectiveness of Chelsea's pathway in bridging youth and first-team integration, enabling her to compete against established professionals like Arsenal's Rachel Yankey shortly thereafter.[14]Club career
Chelsea (2008–2022)
Spence joined Chelsea's Centre of Excellence in 2008 after progressing through Fulham's youth system.[11] She made her senior debut in 2009 and became a regular squad member under manager Emma Hayes, contributing to the team's rise in English women's football.[15] During her tenure, she amassed 239 appearances and scored 50 goals across all competitions, establishing herself as a versatile midfielder known for her work rate and long-range shooting.[11] In 2012, Spence featured in Chelsea's first-ever FA Women's Cup final, where the team lost 2–4 on penalties to Birmingham City after a 0–0 draw; her penalty attempt was saved.[16] This marked an early milestone in the club's growing domestic prominence. Her breakthrough came in 2015, when Chelsea secured their first Women's Super League (WSL) title and FA Cup, with Spence playing a supporting role in both triumphs.[9] Over the subsequent years, she contributed to a dominant era, helping Chelsea win five WSL titles (2015, 2017–2018, 2020–2021, 2021–2022), four FA Cups, two FA Women's League Cups (2019–2020, 2020–2021), and one FA Community Shield.[11] Key individual highlights included scoring the WSL title-clinching goal in 2018 against Reading, netting Chelsea's first goal at Kingsmeadow stadium that year, and their inaugural UEFA Women's Champions League goal at the venue.[11] In recognition of her loyalty, she received a guard of honour in 2019 after 10 years with the club.[11] By her departure at the end of the 2021–22 season, Spence was Chelsea's longest-serving player, having been integral to 11 major trophies and the team's transition into a European powerhouse.[15][3]Tottenham Hotspur (2022–present)
Drew Spence joined Tottenham Hotspur Women on a free transfer from Chelsea on 20 June 2022, signing a two-year contract until June 2024 with an option for an additional year.[17][18] In her debut season (2022–23), she made 28 appearances across all competitions, starting 25, and scored 5 goals, including a goal and assist in the Women's Super League opener against Leicester City on 18 September 2022.[3] Her contributions helped Tottenham finish sixth in the WSL, with Spence providing midfield creativity and scoring in key matches.[2] The 2023–24 campaign was disrupted by injury, as Spence featured in only the opening five games before suffering a hamstring injury in early November 2023, sidelining her for over four months.[19] She returned in March 2024, playing the final seven league matches and scoring twice in her last two outings, ending the season with 17 total appearances, 2 goals, and 3 assists.[3] Tottenham extended her contract on 19 July 2024 through the 2025–26 season, reflecting her value despite the injury setback.[20] In the 2024–25 season, Spence was a regular starter, scoring 3 goals in 19 WSL appearances as Tottenham competed mid-table.[2] She netted in the opening 4–0 win over Crystal Palace on 22 September 2024, her second such contribution in a season opener for the club.[21] By the 2025–26 season's early matches, she had added 5 appearances without goals.[2] Overall, Spence has recorded 58 appearances, 8 goals, and 5 assists for Tottenham across all competitions as of October 2025.[2]| Season | WSL Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 22 | 3 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | 12 | 2 | 3 |
| 2024–25 | 19 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | 5 | 0 | 0 |