It started with a phone call from a friend.
Walking into Hotspur Way for the first time as a Tottenham player on Tuesday, Tosin Adarabioyo wasn’t just carrying a new shirt. He was carrying the words of Dominic Solanke.
“My guy, Dom!” Adarabioyo said with a grin. “He’s a very good friend, probably one of my best friends, especially in football. He said this is the place to be. So once he said that I knew.”
Add in a conversation with the manager, and the 29-year-old centre-back was sold. Now, after seeing the scale of the training ground and looking out toward the stadium, he understands exactly what Solanke meant.
‘Football, football, football’ with De Zerbi
This move isn’t just about friendship. Adarabioyo arrives from Chelsea with 70 appearances, spells as captain, and major honours including the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. He’s played for City, Blackburn, West Brom and Fulham. He knows winning.
What convinced him was the football.
“I feel like I’m in an important part of my career,” he said. “Speaking to Roberto and knowing the type of football he wants to play. I think it’s very fitting. He’s a manager that just wants to play football, football, football.”
The talks were detailed. Tactical. Demanding.
“It takes a lot of courage to play the way the gaffer wants us to play,” Adarabioyo explained. “To be able to take that courage to help the team is very important and that’s something I look to do, no matter where I am.”
He’s also reunited with Mykhailo Mudryk. “Misha is a workhorse,” he said. “He’s always been one to give 100%. He’s ready, he’s going to be fighting. He’s a top, top player.”
Built for the magnitude
Adarabioyo and Solanke go back to England Youth. They’ve battled in the Premier League. Now they defend the same badge.
“I haven’t played there before,” Adarabioyo said of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. “In derbies it’s special. To be able to play there, have that as my home to defend, is going to be very special.”
His target is clear.
“I really just want to achieve the absolute best, push this team, push this club as much as possible to be where we deserve,” he said. “That has to be done every single day.”
The recommendation came from a friend. The work starts now.
