Tottenham Hotspur have made a subtle change to Radu Dragusin’s number after the latest summer signing announcement of Joao Palhinha.
With the new season just a week away, shirt numbers are yet to be finalised at Tottenham Hotspur, as the club continues to make further additions to the squad ahead of the Premier League kick-off.
On Sunday, Tottenham completed another piece of summer business, with Joao Palhinha joining Spurs on loan, in a deal that includes a €30 million (£25.4m) option to buy once the loan expires.
The Portuguese international arrives with a wealth of top-flight experience under his belt, having enjoyed spells in Portugal, Germany and England across the last few years, and now adds depth to Thomas Frank’s midfield options.
Radu Dragusin makes shirt number switch at Tottenham
We revealed before Tottenham’s official announcement that there were several available shirt numbers for Joao Palhinha to choose from.
Tottenham have now confirmed a squad number change for centre-back Radu Dragusin, who will wear the number three shirt from now on, having previously worn number six at the club.
Dragusin’s switch opens up the number six shirt, which has now been made available for Joao Palhinha, as he settles into his holding midfield role in North London.
Tottenham confirm Joao Palhinha as new number six
Throughout his career, Joao Palhinha has consistently worn shirt numbers that include the digit six – whether it be 66, 16, 26 or the classic number six itself.
With Dragusin making way, Tottenham Hotspur have now confirmed that Palhinha will be the club’s new number six going into the new season.
Speaking about his choice, Palhinha stated: “I try to choose always a number with a six – sometimes it’s not available but since I started my career, it was a number that I’ve had with me because of my family.”
“It means a lot for me because of my grandfather… it’s the day that he left our family and since my grandfather died, if I have a look, a lot of important things in my life have happened on this day, with the number six. I can remember my first goal… everything that has been important in my career – not just the career, but in other things as well – most of the days have the number six.
“I’m a bit superstitious and I believe always that this number has an important meaning for me and my family and this is why I want to keep, if possible, the number with me on the shirt.”
The Portuguese international has previously worn the number six during his time at Sporting and for his national team.
Palhinha fits the profile of a traditional six to a tee – aggressive off the ball, relentless in the tackle and statistically dominant, as during his two seasons in the Premier League, no player registered more tackles than the Portuguese midfielder.
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