Jermain Defoe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jermain Defoe
OBE

Defoe in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth	(1982-10-07) 7 October 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth	Beckton, England
Height	5 feet 7 inches (1.71 m)
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	N/A
Youth career
	Senrab
1997–1999	Charlton Athletic
1999	West Ham United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2004	West Ham United	93	(29)
2000–2001	→ AFC Bournemouth (loan)	29	(18)
2004–2008	Tottenham Hotspur	139	(43)
2008	→ Portsmouth (loan)	1	(1)
2008–2009	Portsmouth	30	(14)
2009–2014	Tottenham Hotspur	135	(47)
2014	Toronto FC	19	(11)
2014	→ Tottenham Hotspur (loan)	2	(1)
2015–2017	Sunderland	87	(34)
2017–2020	AFC Bournemouth	28	(4)
2019–2020	→ Rangers (loan)	37	(21)
2020–2022	Rangers	17	(4)
2022	Sunderland	7	(0)
Total		624	(227)
National team
	England U16	8	(0)
2000–2001	England U18	7	(0)
2001–2003	England U21	23	(7)
2004–2017	England	57	(20)
Teams managed
2021	Rangers (caretaker)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Jermain Colin Defoe (born 7 October 1982) is an English football coach and former professional player. He was most recently the under-18s coach at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.

Defoe played as a striker. He started his career with Charlton Athletic at age 14. Later, he moved to West Ham United when he was 16. He made his first team debut for West Ham in 2000. After a loan spell at AFC Bournemouth in the 2000–01 season, he became a key player for West Ham.

After West Ham was relegated in 2003, Defoe joined Tottenham Hotspur in January 2004. He played there for four years. Then, he moved to Portsmouth in January 2008. He spent one season at Portsmouth before returning to Tottenham in January 2009.

In 2014, he left for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS). He returned to England in January 2015 to play for Sunderland. He stayed until the club was relegated from the Premier League in 2017. After a short time at AFC Bournemouth in 2017, Defoe joined Scottish team Rangers on loan in 2018. This move later became permanent. With Rangers, he won the 2020–21 league title. This was his first and only league title, which he won at 38 years old.

In April 2011, Defoe became the 20th player to score 100 Premier League goals. He is currently the tenth-highest goalscorer in Premier League history. He is also the sixth-highest goalscorer in Tottenham's history. Defoe holds the Premier League record for the most goals scored as a substitute, with 24. On 19 November 2016, Defoe scored his 150th Premier League goal.

Defoe first played for the England national team in 2004. He played 57 matches and scored 20 goals. This included three appearances and one goal at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Defoe was born in Beckton, east London. His father was from Dominica, and his mother was from Saint Lucia. Defoe went to St Joachim Primary School and St Bonaventure's in London.

He grew up in Canning Town and played five-a-side football at Newham Leisure Centre. He joined a Sunday league team called Senrab. This club is famous for helping young players like John Terry and Ashley Cole become professional. At 14, in 1997, he joined the FA National School of Excellence at Lilleshall, Shropshire.

Club Career Highlights

Starting at West Ham United

Charlton Athletic noticed Defoe playing football and enrolled him in their youth system. Two years later, at 16, he decided to become a professional with West Ham United. Charlton received compensation for his move. At West Ham, he helped the Under-19 team win the Premier Academy League title in 1999–2000. He scored two goals against Arsenal in the final.

Defoe played his first senior match for West Ham in September 2000. He scored in a 1–0 win against Walsall in the League Cup. Soon after, he joined AFC Bournemouth on loan. He scored in ten matches in a row, which was a record. He scored 18 goals in 29 league games for Bournemouth. West Ham manager Harry Redknapp praised him, saying he was a "terrific achievement."

Defoe was West Ham's top scorer in the 2001–02 season. He scored 14 goals in 39 matches. This included a winning goal against Manchester United. In 2002–03, he scored 11 goals, but West Ham was relegated. After the relegation, Defoe asked to leave the club. This upset some fans and teammates. He later apologized, saying he "mishandled that move."

Playing for Tottenham Hotspur

Defoe joined Tottenham in February 2004 for about £6 million. He scored in his first game for Tottenham, a 4–3 win against Portsmouth. He scored seven goals in 15 matches that season. In 2004–05, he scored 13 goals in 36 Premier League matches, including a hat-trick against Southampton. He also won the club's Player of the Year award.

He signed a new contract with Tottenham in April 2005. The next season, he scored nine goals. In 2006–07, Defoe played 49 matches and scored 18 goals. Tottenham was also playing in the UEFA Cup. In December 2006, he scored his 50th goal for Tottenham. He also scored against Charlton in May 2007, which led to his old club being relegated.

In September 2007, Defoe scored twice against Anorthosis Famagusta. These were his first goals of that season.

Time at Portsmouth

Defoe moved to Portsmouth in January 2008 for £7.5 million. He scored in his first game, a 1–1 draw against Chelsea. He scored in his first five home matches for Portsmouth, a club record. Defoe could not play in the later FA Cup matches for Portsmouth because he had already played for Tottenham in earlier rounds. This meant he missed Portsmouth winning the 2007–08 FA Cup. He also missed Tottenham's League Cup final win, but he received his winner's medal years later. He finished the 2007–08 season with eight goals in 12 games for Portsmouth.

In the 2008–09 season, Defoe scored Portsmouth's first goal in a 3–0 win at Everton. He also scored two goals against Middlesbrough. He scored and assisted in Portsmouth's first European match, a 2–0 win in the UEFA Cup.

Returning to Tottenham Hotspur

In January 2009, Defoe wanted to leave Portsmouth. Tottenham made an offer, and he rejoined his former club for about £15.75 million. He signed a five-year contract. Defoe was welcomed back at White Hart Lane before a League Cup match.

2008–09 Season Return

Defoe played his first game back for Tottenham on 11 January 2009 against Wigan Athletic. He scored his first goal against Portsmouth on 18 January. He scored three goals in his first four matches. However, he broke his foot, which meant he missed Tottenham's League Cup final appearance. He returned in April and scored against Manchester City.

2009–10 Season Success

On 19 August 2009, Defoe scored his first hat-trick for Tottenham in a 5–1 win against Hull City. His manager, Harry Redknapp, believed Defoe could be the Premier League's top scorer. Defoe was named Premier League Player of the Month for August 2009. On 12 September, he scored a goal after 38 seconds against Manchester United.

On 22 November 2009, Defoe scored five goals in Tottenham's 9–1 win over Wigan. This included the second-fastest hat-trick in Premier League history, scored in seven minutes. He became only the third player to score five goals in one Premier League match. Redknapp said Defoe was the best finisher in England. On 3 February, Defoe scored another hat-trick in an FA Cup match against Leeds United. He scored a penalty in Tottenham's win against Chelsea, bringing his season total to 24 goals.

2010–11 Season and Milestones

Defoe helped Tottenham qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage. He was injured in September while playing for England. He returned in Tottenham's 3–2 victory against Arsenal in the North London derby.

On 26 December 2010, Defoe received a red card against Aston Villa. Tottenham still won the match. In the 2010–11 FA Cup, he scored two goals against Charlton Athletic.

On 6 March 2011, Defoe scored his first league goals of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He scored his third goal of the season against West Bromwich Albion. This goal was his 100th Premier League goal and his 100th goal for Tottenham. It was also Tottenham's 1,000th goal in the Premier League era.

Defoe playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2011

2011–12 Season Performance

In pre-season, Defoe scored two goals. He started the 2011–12 season by scoring in a 5–0 win against Hearts in a UEFA Europa League match. His first Premier League goal came in a 2–0 win at Wolves. He scored on the last day of the season against Fulham. Defoe ended the season with 17 goals in 38 matches.

2012–13 Season Goals

Defoe scored on the opening day of the 2012–13 Premier League against Newcastle United. On 30 August 2012, he signed a new three-year contract with Tottenham. He scored the 200th goal of his club career against Chelsea on 20 October. On 8 November, he scored a hat-trick against Maribor in the Europa League. This made him pass Teddy Sheringham on Tottenham's all-time goalscorers list. On 21 April 2013, Defoe scored his 15th goal of the season against Manchester City.

2013–14 Season Records

Defoe started the 2013–14 season as a substitute. However, manager André Villas-Boas used him as a main striker in the Europa League. On 29 August, he scored his first goals of the season against Dinamo Tbilisi.

On 19 September, Defoe scored twice against Tromsø in the Europa League. This brought him close to the club's European goal record. On 24 September 2013, he scored two more goals against Aston Villa in the League Cup. This took his total for Tottenham to 139 goals, making him the club's fifth-highest scorer. His goal on 3 October against Anzhi Makhachkala brought him one goal short of Martin Chivers' record of 22 European goals. Two more goals against Sheriff Tiraspol made Defoe Tottenham's highest European goalscorer with 23 goals.

Moving to Toronto FC

Defoe (left) playing for Toronto in 2014

On 10 January 2014, Tottenham announced that Defoe would join Major League Soccer (MLS) club Toronto FC. He signed a four-year deal. Toronto had been trying to sign Defoe since October. Rapper Drake also called Defoe to convince him to join. Defoe was loaned back to Tottenham until February 2014, playing two more games.

Defoe played his first game for Toronto on 15 March 2014. He scored both goals in their 2–1 win against Seattle Sounders FC. In August 2014, Toronto FC fired their manager. The general manager hinted that Defoe might leave the club.

Playing for Sunderland

2014–15 Season Debut

Defoe warming up for Sunderland in 2015

On 16 January 2015, Defoe joined Sunderland in a player exchange deal. He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract. He made his Sunderland debut the next day against his former club, Tottenham. He did not score in this match, breaking his record of scoring on his first appearance for every club. Defoe scored his first Sunderland goal in his home debut on 31 January 2015. His second goal came the next week against Swansea City.

On 5 April, he scored the only goal in the Tyne–Wear derby against Newcastle. This goal ended a run of eight matches without a win for Sunderland. He was very emotional after scoring. On 9 May, Defoe scored his fourth goal of the season against Everton. This win helped Sunderland move out of the relegation zone.

2015–16 Season Highlights

On the opening day of the 2015–16 Premier League, Defoe scored against Leicester City. This meant he had scored in 15 Premier League seasons. On 25 August, he scored a hat-trick in a 6–3 win against Exeter City in the League Cup. Defoe then scored twice in Sunderland's first match of 2016 against Aston Villa. In the next league game, he scored a hat-trick against Swansea City. On 6 February, Defoe scored an equalizer against Liverpool. On 16 March, Defoe scored in the Tyne–Wear derby, which ended in a 1–1 draw.

On 16 April 2016, Defoe scored Sunderland's second goal in a 3–0 win over Norwich. This win helped Sunderland in their fight against relegation. On 7 May 2016, Defoe scored the winning goal against Chelsea. This moved Sunderland out of the bottom three. Defoe was part of the team that secured their Premier League status with a 3–0 win over Everton.

Defoe was Sunderland's top scorer with 15 league goals. He was also named the club's player of the season. On 9 June, Defoe signed a new contract with Sunderland until 2019.

2016–17 Season and Departure

On 13 August 2016, Defoe scored against Manchester City. This meant he had scored in 16 Premier League seasons. On 5 November 2016, Defoe scored the winning goal from a penalty against Bournemouth. On 19 November 2016, he scored his 150th Premier League goal against Hull City. On 2 January 2017, Defoe scored two penalties against Liverpool.

In January 2017, Sunderland was in the relegation zone. Defoe was linked with a return to West Ham. However, Sunderland rejected a bid, with manager David Moyes calling Defoe "priceless." On 4 February 2017, Defoe scored two goals against Crystal Palace.

Return to AFC Bournemouth

Defoe playing for AFC Bournemouth in 2017

In April 2017, Defoe suggested he might leave Sunderland if they were relegated. Sunderland's relegation was confirmed later that month. On 23 June, Defoe signed a contract with Bournemouth on a free transfer. He had played for the club before in the 2000–01 season.

On 16 September 2017, Defoe scored the winning goal against Brighton. This was his first goal since returning to Bournemouth. It also meant he had scored in 17 different Premier League seasons.

Playing for Rangers

After playing only eight games for Bournemouth in the 2018–19 season, Defoe joined Scottish Premiership club Rangers on an 18-month loan on 6 January 2019. On 23 January 2019, he scored a goal in his debut for Rangers against Kilmarnock. This meant he had scored a debut goal for 5 of his last 7 clubs.

On 25 January 2020, Defoe signed a deal to join Rangers permanently. He would join the club on a one-year deal after his Bournemouth contract ended.

Defoe officially joined Rangers in the summer of 2020. He scored his 300th career club goal against Livingston on 25 October 2020.

On 8 June 2021, Defoe signed a new one-year deal with Rangers. As part of this contract, he also became a coach at the club. On 15 November 2021, Defoe was part of a four-man team that temporarily led the club after the manager left. On 12 January 2022, Defoe left Rangers.

Final Return to Sunderland

On 31 January 2022, Defoe rejoined Sunderland for a short time. He signed a deal until the end of the 2021–22 season. On 24 March 2022, he announced his retirement from professional football.

International Career for England

Youth Team Appearances

Defoe played for England at two youth levels. He played eight games for the under-16s and seven games for the under-18s. His good form for Bournemouth in 2000–01 led to him being chosen for the England under-21 team. He scored in his debut against Mexico in May 2001. He played 23 games for England U21, scoring seven goals.

Senior England Team Debut

Defoe training with England in 2009

Defoe played his first game for the senior England team in March 2004. It was a 1–0 loss to Sweden. England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson praised Defoe's performance. However, Defoe was not chosen for the England squad for UEFA Euro 2004.

He started his first game for England in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Poland in September 2004. He scored in a 2–1 win. Eriksson again praised Defoe, saying he was a "great talent."

Defoe played regularly in World Cup qualifying and friendly matches. But he was not named in the main England squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was only on a standby list. He said he was confused by this decision. Eriksson explained that Defoe had a "very bad season."

2010 FIFA World Cup Journey

Steve McClaren, the next England manager, chose Defoe for his first match in August 2006. Defoe continued to play for England in UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying and friendly matches.

Defoe was first left out of Fabio Capello's squad. Capello said he would only pick players who played regularly for their clubs. One day after scoring in his Portsmouth debut, Defoe was called back to the England squad. He scored two goals against Trinidad and Tobago in June 2008.

Defoe scored his first competitive international goal of 2008 against Kazakhstan. He also scored two goals against Andorra in a World Cup qualifier. In August 2009, he scored two goals against the Netherlands and was named man of the match.

On 23 June 2010, he scored the only goal in England's third group stage match against Slovenia at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This goal helped England move to the next round.

UEFA Euro 2012 and World Cup Qualifiers

Defoe (right) playing for England at UEFA Euro 2012

Defoe scored the first goal for England in their UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign against Bulgaria. He then scored his first international hat-trick, which was the first at the new Wembley Stadium. Defoe was part of the England squad for UEFA Euro 2012.

Defoe played a full 90 minutes for England for the first time on 11 September 2012 against Ukraine.

Defoe started England's first 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Moldova. He scored his 17th goal for England, matching David Beckham's record.

Defoe was not included in the main 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He said he would "likely won't ever get over the decision." However, he was named as one of seven standby players.

His good form in the 2015–16 season led to calls for him to be in the England squad for UEFA Euro 2016. But he was not chosen, and he expressed his disappointment.

2017 International Return

After more than three years, Defoe was called back to the England squad in March 2017. This was for a friendly match against Germany and a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Lithuania. On 26 March, Defoe returned to the first team against Lithuania. He led the team onto the pitch with Bradley Lowery, a young Sunderland fan with a serious illness. England won the match 2–0, with Defoe scoring the first goal.

Goal Celebrations and Influences

In a 2018 interview, Defoe talked about how former Arsenal striker Ian Wright influenced his career. He was inspired by Wright's goal celebrations. Defoe said his favorite celebration is stretching both arms straight out. He explained that when you score a goal, "you just want to go mad."

Coaching Career

On 12 August 2022, Defoe returned to Tottenham Hotspur. He became a club ambassador and an academy coach for the under-18s. Defoe said he wants to inspire more black coaches and managers. He left this role in July 2024 to focus on becoming a manager.

Personal Life

Defoe is a Roman Catholic. In 2017, he started a vegan diet to help his football career last longer.

On 24 April 2009, his half-brother, Jade Defoe, died. On 7 June 2012, his father, Jimmy Defoe, died after a long illness. Defoe was with the England squad for UEFA Euro 2012 at the time. He went home but rejoined the squad two days later.

While playing for Sunderland, Defoe became friends with Bradley Lowery. Bradley was a six-year-old fan with a serious illness. Defoe called their friendship the "highlight of his season." Bradley was named 'Child of Courage' in May 2017. Defoe attended the award ceremony, saying Bradley had changed him. Bradley Lowery died on 7 July 2017.

Defoe was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2018. This was for his work with the Jermain Defoe Foundation, a charity he started in 2013.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Defoe goal.

List of international goals scored by Jermain Defoe

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1	8 September 2004	Silesian Stadium, Chorzów, Poland	5	Poland	1–0	2–1	2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
2	2 September 2006	Old Trafford, Manchester, England	18	Andorra	3–0	5–0	UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
3					4–0
4	1 June 2008	Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago	28	Trinidad and Tobago	2–0	3–0	Friendly
5					3–0
6	11 October 2008	Wembley Stadium, London, England	31	Kazakhstan	5–1	5–1	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
7	10 June 2009	Wembley Stadium, London, England	34	Andorra	4–0	6–0	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
8					5–0
9	12 August 2009	Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands	35	Netherlands	1–2	2–2	Friendly
10					2–2
11	5 September 2009	Wembley Stadium, London, England	36	Slovenia	2–0	2–1	Friendly
12	23 June 2010	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa	42	Slovenia	1–0	1–0	2010 FIFA World Cup
13	3 September 2010	Wembley Stadium, London, England	44	Bulgaria	1–0	4–0	UEFA Euro 2012 qualification
14					2–0
15					4–0
16	15 August 2012	Stade de Suisse, Bern, Switzerland	49	Italy	2–1	2–1	Friendly
17	7 September 2012	Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova	50	Moldova	3–0	5–0	2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
18	22 March 2013	San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino	53	San Marino	3–0	8–0	2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
19					8–0
20	26 March 2017	Wembley Stadium, London, England	56	Lithuania	1–0	2–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours and Awards

Tottenham Hotspur

• Football League Cup: 2007–08

Rangers

• Scottish Premiership: 2020–21
• Scottish League Cup runner-up: 2019–20

Individual Awards

• Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year: 2004
• Premier League Player of the Month: August 2009
• Sunderland Supporters' Player of the Year: 2015–16
• Sunderland Player of the Year: 2015–16
• North-East FWA Player of the Year: 2016

Special Recognition

• Officer of the Order of the British Empire: 2018

See also

In Spanish: Jermain Defoe para niños

• List of footballers in England by number of league appearances (500+)