Dominic Solanke has officially joined Tottenham Hotspur and believes that Ange Postecoglou’s playing style will be a perfect fit for him. However, the striker faces one remaining decision: choosing his shirt number.
Tottenham announced Solanke’s high-profile transfer from Bournemouth on Saturday evening during a match against Bayern Munich. The 26-year-old striker has been signed for an initial fee of £55 million, which could rise to £65 million with add-ons. This arrangement allowed Spurs to avoid triggering the one-cap England international’s £65 million release clause, which would have required immediate payment in full. Solanke, who previously played for Chelsea and Liverpool, has signed a contract with Tottenham until 2030.
Despite the announcement, Spurs have yet to reveal what number Solanke will wear at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. At Bournemouth, he wore the No.9 shirt for the past five seasons, scoring 28 goals in 113 Premier League matches and 44 goals in 86 Championship games. However, Richarlison currently holds the No.9 jersey at Tottenham and has made it clear that he intends to stay this summer despite interest from Saudi Arabia. Solanke’s former shirt number, No.29, which he wore at both Bournemouth and Liverpool, is also unavailable at Spurs, as it belongs to midfielder Pape Matar Sarr. Additionally, the No.35, another number Solanke has worn, is taken by Ashley Phillips.
As Solanke is expected to be Postecoglou’s first-choice striker, he will likely prefer a lower number. The available numbers below No.35 include 11, 18, 19, 25, 26, 28, 31, 32, and 34.
In his youth, Solanke wore the numbers 11, 18, and 41 while playing for Chelsea and Liverpool. The fact that his number hasn’t been confirmed yet suggests he may be holding out for a different option.
Solanke might be hoping for a favor from one of his new teammates, though it seems unlikely that Richarlison would give up the No.9, especially after declaring on social media that he feels “at home” at Tottenham, dismissing rumors of a potential summer departure.
Speaking after the signing, Solanke expressed his excitement to Spurs’ official website: “I’m thrilled to be here. This is an incredible club with ambitions that align with mine. I can’t wait to get started. The manager is fantastic, the players are top-class, and I feel like this style of play is perfect for me. I’m eager to get on the pitch and show what I can do.”
