Talented defender Djed Spence signed with us from Middlesbrough in July 2022.
Djed began his youth career at Fulham before joining Middlesbrough at the age of 17 in July 2018. He initially played with Boro’s Under-23 squad but soon made his way to the first team, making his professional league debut against Charlton in December 2019. Just 19 days later, he scored his first professional goal against Huddersfield, which earned him the EFL Young Player of the Month award shortly after.
In the 2021/22 season, Djed had a successful loan spell at Nottingham Forest, where he made 46 appearances and scored three goals, playing a crucial role in the club’s promotion to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs.
His outstanding performances at the City Ground earned him multiple personal accolades, including a hat-trick of awards in March: the EFL Championship Player of the Month, EFL Championship Goal of the Month, and for the second time in his career, the EFL Young Player of the Month. At the end of the season, he was recognized in the EFL Championship Team of the Season and the PFA Championship Team of the Year.
After making six appearances for us in all competitions during the first half of the 2022/23 season, Djed was loaned to French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais in January 2023 for the remainder of the campaign.
In August 2023, he joined Leeds United on loan, where he made seven appearances before returning to us in January 2024. Later that month, he moved to Genoa on loan for the rest of the season.
On the international front, Djed was first named in the England Under-21 squad in March 2022 and made his debut against Albania. His most recent call-up came in May 2022, helping the Young Lions secure their spot at the upcoming UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
England
