Tosin Adarabioyo has begun life at Tottenham by highlighting the importance of friendship, bravery and the scale of the club as he adapts to his new surroundings at Hotspur Way.
Key takeaways
- The 29-year-old defender has joined Spurs from Chelsea after making 70 appearances for the club.
- He won the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea in 2025.
- Dominic Solanke played a major role in convincing him that Tottenham was the right destination.
- Adarabioyo is eager to work under Roberto De Zerbi and embrace the manager’s possession-based approach.
- He will reunite with close friend Solanke and former Shakhtar colleague Mykhailo Mudryk in north London.
A new chapter in north London
When Adarabioyo arrived at Hotspur Way on Tuesday, Tottenham had prepared a shirt bearing his squad number. He also arrived with a trusted endorsement from his “guy”, Dominic Solanke.
The striker’s opinion carried significant weight. Adarabioyo said Solanke had described Spurs as the club to join, and that recommendation, combined with his discussions with the manager, quickly convinced him. Touring the training ground and seeing Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time has also given him a sense of the institution’s size. He expects walking out there to be an unforgettable experience.
The move represents a goal the defender has pursued throughout a lengthy career. He comes to Tottenham following two seasons at Chelsea, where he played 70 matches, occasionally captained the side and collected major honours. Those successes included the Conference League and Club World Cup in 2025.
His route to this point has taken him through Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham before his spell at Stamford Bridge. He now remains in London, but will wear Tottenham’s white colours.
Adarabioyo believes the timing of the transfer is right, describing himself as being at a significant stage of his career. Conversations with De Zerbi, as well as with Roberto, have given him a clear understanding of the football Tottenham want to play, and he feels that approach suits him particularly well.
De Zerbi, Solanke and Mudryk connections
It is not only the project that attracted Adarabioyo to Tottenham. De Zerbi’s football was central to his decision. The defender said the Italian is determined to see his team play with the ball, while their discussions have covered tactical detail and the kind of culture the manager wants to establish.
Adarabioyo also stressed that De Zerbi’s approach demands courage. He wants to show that boldness on the pitch and use it to serve the team, wherever he plays.
Solanke provided an equally persuasive argument away from the tactical side. The two men first became acquainted through the England youth set-up and have spent years as teammates and opponents. Their most recent meeting came on Boxing Day in 2023, when Adarabioyo represented Fulham and Solanke played for Bournemouth.
Adarabioyo regards Solanke as one of his closest friends in football. They spoke extensively about Tottenham before the move, and the defender is excited to link up with him again. He has yet to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, although he has experienced London derbies at other grounds, and he is already looking forward to protecting his new home in that fixture.
Another familiar figure has also joined Tottenham this week, with Mykhailo Mudryk arriving on loan. Adarabioyo knows the winger well and described him as a relentless worker who has always approached training with complete seriousness and maximum effort.
He added that Mudryk returned for pre-season in strong condition and is ready to compete. In Adarabioyo’s view, that commitment reflects a player of the highest quality.
Mudryk previously worked with De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk and has spoken extremely highly of the manager. Adarabioyo believes their reunion at Tottenham makes the winger’s arrival especially meaningful.
