Harry Kane facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Harry Kane
MBE

Kane with the England national team in 2026
Personal information
Full name	Harry Edward Kane
Date of birth	(1993-07-28) 28 July 1993 (age 33)
Place of birth	Leytonstone, London, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s)	Striker
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2023	Tottenham Hotspur	317	(213)
2011	→ Leyton Orient (loan)	18	(5)
2012	→ Millwall (loan)	22	(7)
2012–2013	→ Norwich City (loan)	3	(0)
2013	→ Leicester City (loan)	13	(2)
2023–	Bayern Munich	101	(102)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Harry Edward Kane is an English professional footballer. He plays as a striker for the German sports club Bayern Munich. He also serves as the team captain for the England national team. People know him for his sharp shooting, clever passing, great vision, and team leadership. Many coaches and fans consider him one of the best football players alive.

Kane has scored more than 500 career goals for his clubs and his country. He is the all-time top goalscorer for Tottenham Hotspur with 280 goals. He is also the all-time top goalscorer for England with 91 goals. In the UEFA Champions League, he is the highest-scoring English player ever with 58 goals. Furthermore, he sits second on the list of all-time goalscorers in the Premier League with 213 strikes. For Bayern Munich, he is already their sixth-highest all-time goalscorer with 156 goals.

Kane started his senior football journey with Tottenham Hotspur in 2009. He gained match experience through loans with Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City, and Leicester City. Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, he became a key player and won the PFA Young Player of the Year award. He earned the Premier League Golden Boot award three times while playing for Tottenham. In 2023, he moved to Germany to play for Bayern Munich. With Bayern, he won the Bundesliga championship and the prestigious Ballon d'Or. Kane has led England to the finals of UEFA Euro 2020 and UEFA Euro 2024. He also won the Golden Boot as the top scorer at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Early life and childhood dreams

Harry Kane was born on 28 July 1993 at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, London. His parents are Kim and Patrick Kane, and he has an older brother named Charlie. He has Irish roots through his father, who was born in Galway. The Kane family lived in Walthamstow before moving to nearby Chingford.

Growing up in a football family

Kane started kicking footballs when he was very young. He joined a local youth team named Ridgeway Rovers in 1999 when he was only six years old. Kane shared that athletic talent runs deep in his family:

I think the sporting genes come from my Mum's side of the family although the topic is a hot debate in the Kane household. Dad probably won't like me saying that, but I think my granddad Eric on my Mum's side was quite a good footballer, and played at a decent level.

School days and sports heroes

Kane attended Larkswood Primary Academy until 2004. After that, he went to Chingford Foundation School. That was the exact same school attended years earlier by England star David Beckham. Most of Kane's family supported Tottenham Hotspur. Their home was located only fifteen minutes away from the club stadium.

Young Harry looked up to several famous footballers. His biggest childhood idol was Tottenham forward Teddy Sheringham. He admired Sheringham's clever movement inside the penalty box. He also watched videos of former England striker Jermain Defoe and Brazilian legend Ronaldo. Kane loved watching online video highlights of Ronaldo dribbling past defenders and finishing scoring chances.

Youth career and early development

First club trials and setbacks

Kane played for Ridgeway Rovers before joining the Arsenal youth academy at age eight. However, Arsenal let him go after just one season. Academy director Liam Brady thought the young boy was not fast or athletic enough. Later on, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger admitted he felt disappointed that the club let Kane leave.

Kane did not give up on his sporting dream. He had a trial with Tottenham Hotspur, but the club did not take him right away. He returned to Ridgeway Rovers to practice his skills. In 2004, he went on a trial with Watford. During a match against Tottenham, he played so well that Tottenham scouts invited him back. He officially joined the Tottenham Hotspur academy at age eleven.

Learning midfield and physical growth

During his early years at Tottenham, Kane played in the midfield. He learned how to control the ball as a defensive midfielder and an attacking playmaker. Coaches noticed he was not the fastest runner, but he possessed an enormous work ethic. He constantly practiced his shooting, heading, and passing.

A couple of years into his academy training, Kane experienced a major growth spurt. He grew much taller and physically stronger. In the 2008–09 season, he played for Tottenham's under-16 team in youth tournaments in Mexico and Switzerland. On his sixteenth birthday in July 2009, he signed a scholarship deal with Tottenham. During the 2009–10 season, he scored 18 goals in 22 matches for the under-18 team. He also earned a spot on the senior team bench for two cup games against Everton and Bolton Wanderers.

Learning the professional game through loans

First professional steps at Leyton Orient

Kane signed his first professional contract with Tottenham in July 2010. Youth coach Tim Sherwood believed competitive league matches would help Kane grow. On 7 January 2011, Kane joined Leyton Orient on loan. Leyton Orient manager Russell Slade was thrilled to bring in the young forward.

Kane made his senior debut as a substitute on 15 January against Rochdale. One week later, he scored his first senior goal against Sheffield Wednesday from a Dean Cox free kick. On 12 February, he scored two goals against Bristol Rovers. He finished his stay at Leyton Orient with five goals in 18 matches.

Gaining toughness with Millwall

Kane made his Tottenham senior debut on 25 August 2011 in a UEFA Europa League match against Hearts. He won a penalty kick, but goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald saved his shot. On 15 December 2011, Kane scored his first senior Tottenham goal during a 4–0 win over Shamrock Rovers.

On 1 January 2012, Kane and teammate Ryan Mason joined Millwall on loan in the Championship. Millwall manager Kenny Jackett gave Kane plenty of playing time. Kane scored seven goals in his final 14 matches of the season. His goals helped keep Millwall safe from relegation. At the end of the year, fans voted Kane as the club's Young Player of the Year.

Short spells at Norwich City and Leicester City

Kane spent the pre-season of 2012 with Tottenham, scoring a hat-trick against Southend United. On 18 August 2012, he made his Premier League debut as a late substitute against Newcastle United. On 31 August, he joined Premier League club Norwich City on loan. Unfortunately, he broke a metatarsal bone in his foot during a League Cup game against Doncaster Rovers. He returned to action in late December against Manchester City, but Tottenham recalled him in February 2013.

Twenty days later, Kane joined Leicester City on loan. He scored on his home debut against Blackburn Rovers. He played 13 times for the club and helped them reach the Championship play-off semi-finals.

Breakthrough into the Tottenham first team

Kane returned to Tottenham for the 2013–14 season. He scored a late equaliser against Hull City in the League Cup, helping Spurs win after a dramatic penalty shoot-out. In April 2014, manager Tim Sherwood gave Kane his first Premier League start against Sunderland. Kane scored a goal in that 5–1 win. He then scored in the next two games against West Bromwich Albion and Fulham.

Stardom at Tottenham Hotspur

Kane playing for Tottenham against Chelsea in 2015

The rise under Mauricio Pochettino

New head coach Mauricio Pochettino took charge of Tottenham in the summer of 2014. Kane began the 2014–15 season in great form. He provided an assist for Eric Dier against West Ham United and scored against AEL Limassol in the Europa League. In October, Kane scored a hat-trick against Asteras Tripolis. In that same match, he even had to play as the goalkeeper for the final three minutes after Hugo Lloris was sent off.

On 2 November 2014, Kane scored a 90th-minute free-kick winner against Aston Villa. This goal made Kane a permanent starter. On New Year's Day 2015, he scored twice and won a penalty as Tottenham defeated league leaders Chelsea 5–3. He won the Premier League Player of the Month award for January. In February, he scored two goals to defeat rivals Arsenal in the famous North London derby. He finished the season with 31 goals in all competitions, won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, and was chosen for the PFA Team of the Year.

Golden Boot winner in the Premier League

Kane warming up for Tottenham Hotspur in 2016

Before the 2015–16 season, Kane took the number 10 shirt. He stated he wanted to follow in the footsteps of great club legends. Although he started the year slowly, he quickly found his scoring form. He scored a hat-trick against AFC Bournemouth and netted goals against Arsenal and Southampton. In March 2016, he won another Player of the Month award after scoring five goals in four games.

Kane finished the season with 25 league goals. This earned him his first Premier League Golden Boot, finishing ahead of Sergio Agüero and Jamie Vardy. His goals helped Tottenham finish third in the table and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Second Golden Boot and league runners-up

Kane with his Tottenham Hotspur teammates in 2016

During the 2016–17 season, Kane continued his scoring streak. He suffered an ankle injury against Sunderland that sidelined him for several weeks. However, he returned strong, scoring against Arsenal in November. In early 2017, Kane scored hat-tricks against West Bromwich Albion, Fulham in the FA Cup, and Stoke City.

Kane scored seven goals in his final two league matches of the season, including four against Leicester City and three against Hull City. He finished the season with 29 league goals in only 30 games. This earned him his second consecutive Golden Boot award. Tottenham finished the season in second place behind Chelsea, which was their highest league finish in decades.

Record-breaking goal runs

Kane running with the ball in 2017

In September 2017, Kane scored his 100th competitive goal for Tottenham in a match against Everton. Later that month, he scored a hat-trick in the Champions League against APOEL. In December 2017, he broke Alan Shearer's record for the most Premier League goals scored in a single calendar year by reaching 39 goals. With 56 goals across all competitions for club and country in 2017, he finished as the top goalscorer in Europe, outscoring superstar players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

In February 2018, Kane scored his 100th Premier League goal with a stoppage-time penalty against Liverpool at Anfield. He reached 100 league goals in just 141 games. Only Alan Shearer had reached that milestone faster.

Champions League final run

During the 2018–19 season, Kane helped Tottenham earn a historic 3–0 away victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. On 1 January 2019, he scored against Cardiff City, meaning he had scored against all 28 Premier League teams he had faced in his career. In March, he scored the winning goal against Borussia Dortmund to make Tottenham reach the Champions League quarter-finals. That goal made him the all-time top scorer in European competitions for Tottenham.

Kane suffered an ankle injury against Manchester City in April, causing him to miss several weeks. However, he recovered in time to play in the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool in Madrid. Tottenham fought hard but finished as runners-up after losing the match 2–0.

Leading the league in goals and assists

Kane playing in European competition in 2021

In the 2020–21 season, Kane showed he was both a great goalscorer and a great playmaker. In a game against Southampton, Kane provided four assists to teammate Son Heung-min and scored a goal himself. This marked the first time in Premier League history that a player provided four assists to the same teammate in a single game.

Kane finished the season with 23 goals and 14 assists. This achievement earned him both the Premier League Golden Boot and the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award. He joined an exclusive group of players who have led the league in both goals and assists during the exact same season.

Becoming Tottenham's all-time greatest scorer

Kane playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2022

During the 2021–22 season, Kane became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League, the Europa League, and the UEFA Europa Conference League. He also formed a historic partnership with Son Heung-min. Together, they broke the record for the most combined goal partnerships in Premier League history.

On 5 February 2023, Kane scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory against Manchester City. That goal was his 267th goal for Tottenham, overtaking legendary striker Jimmy Greaves to become the club's all-time record goalscorer. He also became the third player to reach 200 Premier League goals. He finished the 2022–23 campaign with 30 league goals.

Triumphs with Bayern Munich

Big transfer to Germany

In August 2023, Kane decided to take on a fresh challenge in his football career. He signed with German giant Bayern Munich for a transfer fee of over €100 million. This deal made him the most expensive signing in Bundesliga history.

Kane made an instant impact in Germany. On the opening day of the Bundesliga season, he scored a goal and assisted Leroy Sané in a 4–0 victory over Werder Bremen. He scored hat-tricks against VfL Bochum, Darmstadt 98, and Borussia Dortmund. Kane finished his debut Bundesliga season with 36 goals, winning the European Golden Shoe as the top domestic goalscorer across all European leagues.

Trophy celebrations and the Ballon d'Or

Kane training with Bayern Munich in 2025

During the 2024–25 season, Kane won his first major team silverware. He helped Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga title, finishing as the league's top scorer once again. He received the Bundesliga Player of the Season trophy for his incredible leadership on the field.

In the 2025–26 season, Kane's achievements reached an all-time peak. He helped Bayern win the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, the Bundesliga, and the DFB-Pokal. Kane scored 61 goals in all competitions, matching historic records set by football legends. On 26 October 2026, Kane won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award at the London Palladium. He became the first English player to take home the prize since Michael Owen in 2001.

International career with England

Scoring on his senior debut

Kane warming up for the England under-19 team

Kane played for England at several youth levels, including the under-17, under-19, under-20, and under-21 squads. He could have chosen to play for the Republic of Ireland through his father's family, but he always dreamed of representing England.

In March 2015, manager Roy Hodgson called Kane up to the England senior team. Kane made his debut against Lithuania at Wembley Stadium, coming on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney. Just 80 seconds after stepping onto the pitch, Kane headed the ball into the net to score his first senior international goal.

Captaincy and the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot

Kane playing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia

England manager Gareth Southgate named Kane team captain ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In the opening match against Tunisia, Kane scored twice, including a dramatic late header to win the game 2–1. In the next match, he scored a hat-trick in a 6–1 win against Panama.

Kane added another goal from a penalty against Colombia in the round of 16. England won their first-ever World Cup penalty shoot-out that night. Kane led England to fourth place, their best tournament finish since 1990. Kane won the tournament's Golden Boot award after finishing as the top scorer with six goals.

European Championship finals and records

Kane preparing to shoot for England in 2022

Kane led England through the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. He scored against Germany in the round of 16, added two goals against Ukraine in the quarter-finals, and scored the extra-time winner against Denmark in the semi-final. This win sent England to their first major tournament final in 55 years.

On 23 March 2023, Kane scored a penalty against Italy to reach 54 international goals. This historic strike moved him past Wayne Rooney to become England's outright all-time top goalscorer. At UEFA Euro 2024, Kane captained England to another final and earned a share of the tournament Golden Boot award. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Kane scored multiple goals to guide England to a third-place finish, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest international strikers of all time.

Playing style and skills

Kane plays as a modern striker who combines physical strength with world-class technical skill. When he was a teenager, coaches like Alex Inglethorpe praised his shooting technique and tactical intelligence.

Finishing and passing ability

Kane is famous for his ability to score goals with both his right foot and left foot, as well as with his head. He can score from close range inside the penalty area or unleash powerful shots from outside the box. Kane is also an exceptional penalty taker, rarely missing from the spot.

Besides scoring, Kane drops into deeper positions on the field to link up play. He acts almost like an attacking midfielder, delivering long passes to fast wingers running behind opposing defenders. His vision and teamwork make him dangerous in every phase of an attacking move.

Hard work and training habits

Kane's success comes from dedication and hard work. When he was younger, many people doubted he was fast enough to play at the top level. Kane focused on nutrition, sprint training, and movement patterns to improve his game. He hired a private chef to prepare healthy meals and abstains from unhealthy habits to keep his body in peak condition.

Life outside football

Family life

Kane married Katie Goodland in 2019. The two met when they were children at school and grew up together. They have four children: two daughters and two sons. The family also has two Labrador retrievers named Brady and Wilson. Kane named one dog after famous American football quarterback Tom Brady, whom Kane considers an athletic inspiration.

Hobbies and charity work

In his free time, Kane loves to play golf. He plays at a very high amateur skill level with a low handicap.

Kane cares deeply about helping others. In October 2022, he launched the Harry Kane Foundation. This charity works to promote mental health awareness and encourage people to talk openly about their emotions. To help celebrate this work, Kane read a bedtime story on the children's television channel CBeebies. He also sponsored the jerseys of his former team, Leyton Orient, to support health workers and charities. In November 2024, a bronze statue of Kane was unveiled at the Peter May Sports Centre in Walthamstow to celebrate his inspiring career.

Career numbers and achievements

Senior club statistics

International match record

Major honours and awards

A painted mural honoring Harry Kane in London

Bayern Munich

• Bundesliga: 2024–25, 2025–26
• DFB-Pokal: 2025–26
• Franz Beckenbauer Supercup: 2025, 2026

England

• UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2020, 2024
• FIFA World Cup third place: 2026

Selected individual trophies

• Ballon d'Or: 2026
• European Golden Shoe: 2023–24, 2025–26
• FIFA World Cup Golden Boot: 2018
• Premier League Golden Boot: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21
• Bundesliga Player of the Season: 2024–25
• PFA Young Player of the Year: 2014–15
• Member of the Order of the British Empire: 2019

Images for kids

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  Kane playing for England in 2015

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  Kane representing England at the 2026 World Cup

See also

In Spanish: Harry Kane para niños

• List of top international men's football goalscorers by country
• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
• List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals
• List of footballers with 100 or more Premier League goals