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— CH. 1 · THE CHUBBY KID WHO WASN'T ATHLETIC —

Harry Kane

~8 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
7 sections
  • Harry Edward Kane was born on the 28th of July 1993 at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, London. He grew up in Walthamstow before his family moved to Chingford. His father Patrick was born in Galway, giving Harry Irish ancestry through him. At age six in 1999, he joined a local club called Ridgeway Rovers. He played football from a young age and named Teddy Sheringham as his childhood idol. Sheringham was a great finisher who knew how to get into the box and score goals.

    Kane first played for Arsenal's youth academy when he was eight years old. He was released after just one season because he was considered too chubby and not athletic enough. Liam Brady was then in charge of Arsenal's academy and made that decision. Manager Arsène Wenger later stated in November 2015 that he was disappointed Arsenal chose to release him. Kane had a trial at Tottenham Hotspur but was not initially successful. He returned to Ridgeway Rovers for a while.

    In 2004, at age eleven, he joined Watford academy for a four to six week trial. He impressed playing for Watford against Tottenham and got another chance at Spurs. Initially he did not stand out as a player because he was neither big nor particularly quick. Those who worked with him noted his constant desire to improve various aspects of his game. A couple of years after joining, he had a large growth spurt that made him taller and physically stronger.

  • On the 7th of January 2011, Harry Kane moved to Leyton Orient on loan until the end of the 2010, 11 season. Manager Russell Slade said he was happy at his arrival. Kane made his first team debut for Orient on the 15th of January, coming on as a substitute for Scott McGleish in the 73rd minute of a 1, 1 draw away to Rochdale. A week later, Kane scored his first first team goal against Sheffield Wednesday. It was an unmarked goal from a Dean Cox free kick in the 57th minute as Orient eventually won 4, 0.

    On the 12th of February, he scored twice in a 4, 1 win over Bristol Rovers. He ended the season scoring five goals in 18 matches. On the 29th of December 2011, Kane and Tottenham teammate Ryan Mason agreed to join Championship club Millwall on loan from the 1st of January 2012 until the end of the season. After making his debut against Bristol City, manager Kenny Jackett said he had a very good debut but was unlucky not to score.

    Kane went on to score seven goals in the final 14 matches of the season. He scored nine goals in 27 matches which resulted in him being named Millwall's Young Player of the Year for 2011, 12. His run of goals scored towards the end of the season has been credited with helping to raise Millwall in the table away from the threat of relegation that season. On the 31st of August 2012, Kane joined Premier League team Norwich City on a season long loan. He suffered an injury breaking a metatarsal bone in the League Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers in only his second appearance.

  • Manager Mauricio Pochettino was appointed to replace Tim Sherwood and had a rocky start at the club. On the 2nd of November 2014, Kane came on as a second half substitute in Tottenham's 2, 1 win over Aston Villa and scored his first Premier League goal of the season to win the match in the 90th minute. Pochettino later said that this goal saved him from the sack. Henceforth under Pochettino, Kane became a regular in Spurs' starting line up.

    Between 14 and the 26th of December, Kane scored in three consecutive 2, 1 wins for Tottenham, against Swansea City, Burnley and Leicester City. On the 5th of April, he captained Tottenham for the first time in a 0, 0 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor. Two weeks later, he scored his 30th goal of the season in a 3, 1 win against Newcastle United at St James Park. This made him the first Tottenham player to reach that milestone since Gary Lineker in 1991, 92.

    On the 24th of May 2015, he headed in an Eric Dier cross for the only goal of an away win over Everton on the final day of the season to confirm fifth place for Tottenham. It was his 21st goal of the league campaign, equalling a Premier League club record alongside Teddy Sheringham, Jürgen Klinsmann and Gareth Bale. At the end of the season, Kane remarked that he had done more in the single campaign than he had expected to do in his whole career.

  • On the 23rd of December 2017, Kane equalled Alan Shearer's record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year. He had scored a hat trick in a 0, 3 away win to Burnley. He surpassed Shearer's record the following game with another hat trick in the 5, 2 home win against Southampton. This ended the year with 39 Premier League goals. The hat trick, his sixth of the year in the Premier League, also made him the first player in Premier League history to score six hat tricks in a year.

    With a total of 56 goals scored in all competitions for the year, he became Europe's top goalscorer of 2017. This broke the seven year dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as Europe's top goalscorer in a calendar year. On the 4th of February, Kane scored an added time penalty to equalise in a 2, 2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield for his 100th Premier League goal. He achieved the century of league goals in 141 games, beaten only by Alan Shearer's 124.

    In January 2018, he scored twice in the 4, 0 home win against Everton and became Tottenham's top goalscorer in the Premier League era. He broke Teddy Sheringham's record of 97 Premier League goals for the club.

  • On the 10th of August 2023, it was reported that Bayern Munich and Tottenham had agreed a deal in principle for Harry Kane which was worth more than €100 million. The fee was £86.4m. His departure was later confirmed by manager Ange Postecoglou via press conference. On the 12th of August, Kane posted a farewell video on Instagram thanking Tottenham staff and supporters for his time at the club. Bayern Munich announced the signing of Kane on a four year contract on the 12th of August.

    Kane became the most expensive signing in Bundesliga history, costing €100m plus €10m bonuses in transfer fees. This surpassed the €80m transfer fee paid by Bayern Munich for Lucas Hernandez in 2019. He made his debut for Bayern on the same day he joined the club as a 64th minute substitute in a 3, 0 defeat to RB Leipzig in the 2023 DFL Supercup. He scored his first goal for the club on the opening day of the 2023, 24 Bundesliga season. It was also an assist for Leroy Sané's early opener as Bayern won 4, 0 away to Werder Bremen.

  • On the 19th of March 2015, Harry Kane was named by manager Roy Hodgson in the England squad to face Lithuania in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match. He made his international debut at Wembley Stadium replacing Wayne Rooney in the second half against Lithuania. He scored just 80 seconds later with a header from a Raheem Sterling cross. On the 10th of June 2017, Kane captained England for the first time in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Scotland at Hampden Park. He scored an added time equaliser to rescue a 2, 2 draw.

    Kane was named captain for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. On the 18th of June, he scored both of England's goals in a 2, 1 win over Tunisia. In the next group game on the 24th of June, Kane scored a hat trick in England's 6, 1 win over Panama. This was England's largest ever World Cup victory. With his three goals against Panama, Kane became the third England player to score a hat trick in a World Cup match after Geoff Hurst and Gary Lineker. His six goals in the tournament earned him the Golden Boot as the top goalscorer of the World Cup.

  • Former Tottenham manager David Pleat described Harry Kane as an old fashioned traditional centre forward. Clive Allen who coached him at Tottenham stated that one thing you don't say about a lot of young footballers is that he had a passion for the game. He loves football and loves playing and loves scoring goals. His former Tottenham under 21 coach Les Ferdinand likened Kane's movement to their former forward Teddy Sheringham. The power and accuracy of his shots were compared to Alan Shearer.

    In August 2018 ESPN reporter Michael Cox said that Kane was initially considered a pure goal scorer but he is actually a good all round player often playing as an attacking midfielder. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup Kane's contributions in deeper positions were outstanding. Indeed although Kane is predominantly known for his clinical finishing and prolific goalscoring ability as an out and out striker, he is also known for his vision technique link up play and passing ability. This enables him to drop deep bring his teammates into play and create chances for other players. In 2022 Sam McGuire of Opta Sports identified him as the most creative number 9 in the world.

Common questions

When and where was Harry Kane born?

Harry Edward Kane was born on the 28th of July 1993 at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, London.

Which youth clubs did Harry Kane play for before joining Tottenham Hotspur?

Harry Kane played for Ridgeway Rovers from age six and joined Arsenal's youth academy at eight years old. He later had a trial at Watford academy in 2004 before returning to Spurs.

What major goal scoring records did Harry Kane break during his time with Tottenham Hotspur?

Harry Kane became Tottenham's top goalscorer in the Premier League era by breaking Teddy Sheringham's record of 97 goals. He also became the first player in Premier League history to score six hat tricks in a single year.

How many goals did Harry Kane score in the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament?

Harry Kane scored six goals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament which earned him the Golden Boot as the top goalscorer of the competition.

Why did Harry Kane leave Tottenham Hotspur in August 2023?

Harry Kane left Tottenham Hotspur after Bayern Munich agreed on a deal worth more than €100 million for his transfer. The fee was confirmed as £86.4m plus bonuses making him the most expensive signing in Bundesliga history.

All sources

424 references cited across the entry

  1. 1webHarry Kane: OverviewPremier League
  2. 3webHarry KaneAFS Enterprises
  3. 5webHarry KaneTottenham Hotspur F.C.
  4. 11webHall of Fame18 February 2015
  5. 22webUnearth themselves a striking gemFootballfancast — 10 September 2010
  6. 23webTottenham unearth themselves a striking gemFootballFanCast.com — 10 September 2010
  7. 25newsTottenham 2–0 Everton27 October 2009
  8. 26newsTottenham 4–0 BoltonLes Roopanarine — 24 February 2010
  9. 27webKane in O's loanTottenham Hotspur F.C. — 7 January 2011
  10. 30newsRochdale 1–1 Leyton Orient15 January 2011
  11. 35newsTottenham 0–0 HeartsSam Lyon — 24 August 2011
  12. 36newsShamrock Rovers 0–4 TottenhamMarc Higginson — 15 August 2011
  13. 41webLosing start for Villas-Boas18 August 2012
  14. 43webNorwich 0–0 West HamJimmy Smallwood — 15 September 2012
  15. 44newsFoot fracture for Kane28 September 2012
  16. 51newsTottenham 5–1 SunderlandSaj Chowdhury — 7 April 2014
  17. 52webWest Bromwich Albion 3–3 Tottenham HotspurAndy Cryer — 12 April 2014
  18. 53webTottenham Hotspur 3–1 FulhamMandeep Sanghera — 19 April 2014
  19. 54newsWest Ham 0–1 TottenhamGary Rose — 16 August 2014
  20. 55webTottenham 3–0 AEL Limassol (agg 5–1)Jonathan Jurejko — 28 August 2014
  21. 57webTottenham Hotspur 5–1 Asteras TripolisSteve Canavan — 23 October 2014
  22. 63newsTottenham Hotspur 2–1 Burnley20 December 2014
  23. 65newsTottenham 5–3 ChelseaStephan Shemilt — 1 January 2015
  24. 66newsWest Brom 0–3 TottenhamTim Oscroft — 31 January 2015
  25. 67newsSheff Utd 2–2 TottenhamTom Rostance — 28 January 2015
  26. 69newsTottenham 2–1 ArsenalPhil Dawkes — 7 February 2015
  27. 71newsChelsea 2–0 Tottenham HotspurPhil McNulty — 1 March 2015
  28. 73newsTottenham 4–3 LeicesterMandeep Sanghera — 21 March 2015
  29. 79newsEverton 0–1 TottenhamAlistair Magowan — 24 May 2015
  30. 81webMLS All-Stars 2, Tottenham Hotspur 1: 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star GameSimon Borg — Major League Soccer — 30 July 2015
  31. 83newsTottenham 4–1 Man CityMandeep Sanghera — 26 September 2015
  32. 84newsSwansea 2–2 TottenhamPhil Dawkes — 4 October 2015
  33. 85newsBournemouth 1–5 Tottenham25 October 2015
  34. 86newsTottenham 3–1 Aston Villa2 November 2015
  35. 87newsArsenal 1–1 TottenhamMarc Higginson — 8 November 2015
  36. 88newsHarry Kane scored gorgeous one-touch goal off of an even more beautiful long ballLiam Daniel Pierce — Vice News — 8 November 2015
  37. 89newsFK Qarabag 0–1 TottenhamSaj Chowdhury — 26 November 2015
  38. 90newsSouthampton 0–2 TottenhamPhil Dawkes — 19 December 2015
  39. 91newsTottenham 3–0 NorwichTim Oscroft — 26 December 2015
  40. 92newsTottenham 2–2 Leicester10 January 2016
  41. 99newsStoke City 0–4 Tottenham Hotspur10 September 2016
  42. 105newsNew deal for KaneTottenham Hotspur F.C. — 1 December 2016
  43. 109webFulham 0–3 Tottenham Hotspur19 February 2017
  44. 115webMen's PFA Players' Player of the Year 2017Professional Footballers' Association — 13 April 2017
  45. 116webMen's PFA Young Player of the Year 2017Professional Footballers' Association — 13 April 2017
  46. 117newsChelsea 4–2 Tottenham22 April 2017
  47. 118newsTottenham Hotspur 2–1 Manchester UnitedCaroline Chapman — 14 May 2017
  48. 119newsLeicester City 1–6 Tottenham HotspurTom Rostance — 18 May 2017
  49. 120newsHull City 1–7 Tottenham HotspurAlex Bysouth — 21 May 2017
  50. 122newsEverton 0–3 Tottenham9 September 2017
  51. 130newsTottenham Hotspur 5–2 SouthamptonCaroline Chapman — 26 December 2017
  52. 136newsTottenham Fulham Match Report18 August 2018
  53. 146newsTottenham Hotspur 3:1 Aston VillaNeil Johnston — 10 August 2019
  54. 153webSouthampton 2–5 Tottenham HotspurGary Rose — 20 September 2020
  55. 158newsTottenham 2–0 ArsenalPhil McNulty — 6 December 2020
  56. 163webKane wins double with Golden Boot and Playmaker awardsPremier League — 23 May 2021
  57. 168newsTottenham Hotspur 1–0 Manchester CityPhil McNulty — 15 August 2021
  58. 203webHarry Kane departs to Bayern MunichTottenham Hotspur F.C.
  59. 206webFC Bayern sign Harry KaneFC Bayern Munich — 12 August 2023
  60. 214web'Super Bayern' in seventh heaven with KaneFC Bayern Munich — 23 September 2023
  61. 216newsBayern Munich 8–0 Darmstadt 9828 October 2023
  62. 235webWerder Bremen 0–5 Bayern MunichBBC Sport — 21 September 2024
  63. 241webHarry Kane named Bundesliga Player of the Season for 2024/25Deutsche Fußball Liga — 21 May 2025
  64. 243newsBayern Munich 6–0 RB Leipzig: Harry Kane scores hat-trick in routAdam Millington — BBC Sport — 22 August 2025
  65. 247newsBayern Munich 4 : 0 Werder BremenAlex Brotherton — 26 September 2025
  66. 251webHARRY KANE BROKE THE RECORD !IFFHS — 20 December 2025
  67. 253webHarry Kane reaches stunning new milestone faster than Cristiano RonaldoJack Cunningham — talkSPORT — 14 February 2026
  68. 254newsBayern Munich 4–1 AtalantaGary Rose — 18 March 2026
  69. 258webBayern Munich 4–2 StuttgartBBC Sport — 19 April 2026
  70. 261webBayern Munich 1–1 Paris Saint-GermainPhil McNulty — BBC Sport — 6 May 2026
  71. 267webU17 squad announcedThefootballnetwork.net — 23 January 2010
  72. 270webEngland U19 6 Albania U19 1england-mad.co.uk — 8 October 2010
  73. 276webHarry KaneThe Football Association
  74. 278webH. Kane: SummaryPerform Group
  75. 280newsPortugal begin with win against EnglandUEFA — 18 June 2015
  76. 284newsHarry Kane earns first call-up to England senior squadJamie Bradbury — The Football Association — 19 March 2015
  77. 285newsEngland 4–0 LithuaniaPhil McNulty — 27 March 2015
  78. 288newsSan Marino 0–6 EnglandPhil McNulty — 5 September 2015
  79. 289newsEngland 2–0 SwitzerlandPhil McNulty — 8 September 2015
  80. 290newsLithuania 0–3 England12 October 2015
  81. 291newsEngland 2–1 TurkeyBevan Chris — 22 May 2016
  82. 295newsScotland 2–2 EnglandPhil McNulty — 10 June 2017
  83. 316newsEngland reach Euro 2020 finalPhil McNulty — 7 July 2021
  84. 317newsEuro 2020 final: England beaten by Italy on penaltiesPhil McNulty — 11 July 2021
  85. 319newsHarry Kane nets 50th England goal: What are some of his best?Chris Wright — ESPN — 8 June 2022
  86. 321newsItaly 1 : 2 EnglandPhil McNulty — 23 March 2023
  87. 324webEngland 3–1 ItalyPhil McNulty — 17 October 2023
  88. 332webEngland 2–0 Finland9 September 2024
  89. 336newsIs this Tottenham starlet the man to solve the club's striker crisis?Lee Roden — Talksport — 4 February 2013
  90. 339webHarry Kane wants to conquer the Premier League ... then the NFLBruce Schoenfeld — ESPN — 27 March 2019
  91. 340webPlayer Profile: Harry KaneSam Tremlett — TI Media — 18 September 2018
  92. 341newsHarry Kane flattered by Jurgen Klinsmann comparisonsKevin Palmer — 5 February 2015
  93. 344webBack Harry Kane to score with a header at 10/1 – Jones KnowsLewis Jones — Sky Sports — 19 December 2020
  94. 345newsHarry Kane: England's next number nine?Phil McNulty — 10 February 2015
  95. 349webHarry Kane's role change for England & Spurs explainedHarry Edwards — squawka.com — 24 March 2019
  96. 352webHow Harry Kane Turned Into the Most Creative Number 9 in the WorldDevs Someoddpilot — 10 December 2022
  97. 353newsWhy Kane is the ultimate team player – Shearer analysisAlan Shearer — 22 December 2020
  98. 354webHarry Kane: The Premier League's top penalty takerPeter Smith — 23 September 2018
  99. 356webFans call for officials to take action on Harry Kane's 'dangerous' signature moveWayne Farry — Maximum Media — 7 December 2020
  100. 359webHarry's Skechers DealFootballBoots — 17 August 2023
  101. 366webWATCH: Harry Kane on Good Morning BritainLeyton Orient F.C. — 15 May 2020
  102. 369newsHarry Kane engaged to Kate GoodlandbeIN Sports — 1 July 2017
  103. 373tweetOur beautiful boy has arrived. 29/12/2020. Louis Harry Kane.31 December 2020
  104. 374newsHarry Kane erneut Vater geworden: Erstes Tor, viertes KindSpiegel-Gruppe — 21 August 2023
  105. 387webHarry Kane: InternationalsHeimspiel Medien
  106. 388newsManchester City 1–0 Tottenham HotspurPhil McNulty — 25 April 2021
  107. 389newsTottenham Hotspur 0–2 LiverpoolPhil McNulty — 1 June 2019
  108. 390webBayern Munich win 2024/25 Bundesliga titleBundesliga — 4 May 2025
  109. 393newsItaly 1–1 EnglandPhil McNulty — 11 July 2021
  110. 395newsSwitzerland 0–0 EnglandPhil McNulty — 9 June 2019
  111. 399newsClub awards | Kane's treble, Sonny takes Goal of the SeasonTottenham Hotspur F.C. — 20 May 2023
  112. 401webHarry Kane wins FSF Player of the YearFootball Supporters' Federation
  113. 403webHarry Kane voted 2018 England Men's Player of the YearThe Football Association — 18 January 2019
  114. 408webIFFHS MEN'S WORLD TEAM 20234 January 2024
  115. 411newsHarry Kane receives Torjägerkanone for debut seasonBundesliga — September 2024
  116. 422web2023/24 UEFA Champions League Team of the SeasonUnion of European Football Associations — 2024-06-03
  117. 423webESM Team of the Season: 2023-24Jamie Evans — 10 June 2024
  118. 424webHarry Kane wins European Golden Shoe in 2023/24Bundesliga — 1 June 2024
  119. 425newsUEFA EURO 2024 Top GoalscorerUEFA — 17 July 2024
  120. 427newsHarry Kane says he is honoured by Freedom of CityJess Warren — 26 May 2023