HARRY KANE has recalled how Jermain Defoe once unexpectedly pulled up for a street kickabout with him and his school pals as he outlined his ambition to become the Premier League’s all-time top scorer.
The Tottenham star and England captain took part in the latest episode of BT Sport’s What I Wore series and enjoyed a trip down memory lane.
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And the 28-year-old striker, who was in Spurs’ academy at the time, revealed how he first crossed paths with the club’s ex-fan favourite Defoe aged just 11 while playing footy with his mates.
Kane said: “Defoe is one of my favourite strikers and I was fortunate enough to play with him as well.
“The story was that I was in the street where I lived in Chingford just playing football with about 15 of my mates and a black Range Rover pulled up and Jermain Defoe got out.
“It was crazy. I was in the academy at the time but only about 11-years-old and he just got out and started playing with us for about 20 minutes.
“He signed a load of stuff, we were taking our trainers off and things like that and getting them signed, but it was amazing.
“It’s a story I’ll always remember. I remember talking to him about it and he remembered it. It was great for him to do that and hopefully I’ll be able to do the same.”
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Kane continued: “You always have the dream in the back of your head about being a professional footballer.
“But at 11-years-old you are just enjoying football and not thinking too much into the future.”
Kane has gone on to realise his dream of playing for both Tottenham and England.
He was in sensational form on Saturday as his two strikes sealed a thrilling 3-2 win over Premier League leaders Manchester City.
That took his tally to a staggering 173 in the top-flight – which is just 87 behind the Prem’s all-time top goalscorer Shearer’s 260.
And Kane still believes he has plenty of time left to overtake the legendary former Newcastle United and England star.
He said: “It’s there to be done but there’s still 90-odd goals to get there. It’s definitely an aim to try and reach it.
“I feel like I’ve still got many more years of my career to go.
“Shearer was an incredible striker and No9 so to be close now is great and it’s definitely something I want to try and achieve.”
LURE OF THE TEN
Unlike Shearer, Kane has chosen to wear the No 10 shirt instead for his club – a choice inspired by a number of former icons.
Kane, who dons nine for his country, explained: “I feel like 10 for Spurs was just a bigger number. You had Robbie Keane, Glenn Hoddle, Teddy Sheringham – players like that.
“So I just felt like I wanted to be No 10 playing for Tottenham and obviously No 9 for England I feel like is a bigger number for a striker. You’ve had some great No 9s (for England).”
Kane picked up both the Golden Boot and Playmaker award last season for creating the most assists.
However he also added that the 2016/16 campaign, when Spurs missed out on the title to Leicester City, was one of his best so far.
He said: “This was the year we was going against Leicester for the league, obviously we fell short, but there were some nice goals in that one. I felt good.
“That was my second season, I felt ready to go and take the league by storm after having the season I had before. I think that was my first kit in No 10 as well.”
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