Boss reacts as youngster completes Tottenham move

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Southend United boss Kevin Maher has told the club’s official website that they could not stand in the way of Charlie Sayers when the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur presented itself.

The Shrimpers have confirmed that the 17-year-old has joined Spurs for an undisclosed fee. It comes with the defender making six league appearances for the National League side this season.

Sayers had already featured for Tottenham’s under-18s. He played the full 90 minutes as they faced Crystal Palace earlier this month.

Southend have now confirmed that he has joined the club permanently. And Maher – who started his career at Tottenham before spending the majority of his playing days at Roots Hall – insisted that he has everything needed right now to kick on and potentially be a success in North London.

“For a young lad to get the opportunity to go to Tottenham, you can’t stand in his way,” he told Southend’s official website.

“He broke into the team this season and to play at 17 in a really tough league shows a lot of character. He’s got a mature head on him for his young age and hopefully he can take that forward.

“Tottenham is a brilliant football club and they’ve got some really good people there that I know well. He’ll be looked after and coached very well and it’s up to him now to take the opportunity.

“He’s a great lad and we wish him all the very best and hope to see him go on and have a great career.”

Tottenham fans will hope Sayers can follow in footsteps of Scarlett and Devine and establish himself as one to watch

Tottenham fans have been given reason to be extremely excited about a number of players coming through. Players such as Dane Scarlett and Alfie Devine look destined for careers in and around the first-team.

There are several others seemingly knocking on the door. Dilan Markanday has enjoyed a stunning year. And players like Nile John and Marcel Lavinier are regularly making an impact for the under-23s.

If Sayers kicks on, Tottenham supporters will need little encouragement to get behind him. He has had a taste of senior football with Southend. And he will now be setting his sights on proving that he made the right decision moving up several levels to join Spurs.