Prolific and instinctive goalscorer who ranks among the Premier League's all-time top scorers across a career spanning two decades.
Jermain Colin Defoe was born in Beckton, London on 7 October 1982. He came through the Charlton Athletic and West Ham academies before joining Tottenham in 2004. A natural finisher with electric pace and deadly movement in the box, Defoe scored 163 Premier League goals, placing him eighth on the all-time list. He had two spells at Tottenham, as well as stints at Portsmouth, Sunderland, AFC Bournemouth, Rangers and Toronto FC. At Rangers he won the Scottish Premiership in 2021 under Steven Gerrard. For England, he earned 57 caps and scored 20 goals, including a hat-trick at the 2010 World Cup. Off the pitch, he is celebrated for his close friendship with Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery, a young boy who tragically lost his battle with cancer.
Being the oldest England goalscorer at age 35
His deeply moving friendship with six-year-old Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery, who was battling cancer, touched the entire football world and beyond.
Did You Know?How They Played
Clinical finisher with excellent positioning and ability to score from tight angles
Lasting Impact
Prolific Premier League striker who represented England across three decades
Career Honours
- League Cup 2008
- Scottish Premiership 2021
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | 2008–2009 | — | 42 | 12 | #23 |
| Sunderland | 2015–2017 | — | 20 | 3 | #23 |
| Bournemouth | 2000–2001 | — | 29 | 18 | — |
| AFC Bournemouth | 2017–2019 | — | 30 | 4 | — |
| Toronto FC | 2014–2015 | £6m | 19 | 11 | — |
| Rangers | 2019–2022 | Free | 74 | 32 | — |
| Charlton Athletic | 1999–2000 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| West Ham United | 2001–2004 | — | 93 | 14 | #10 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2004–2008 | — | 139 | 43 | #23 |
 England | — | — | 57 | 20 | — |