William Lankshear (born 20 April 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur as a forward.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Lankshear[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 20 April 2005[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Welwyn Garden City, England[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Forward[2] | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Tottenham Hotspur | ||
| Number | 42 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2021 | Arsenal | ||
| 2021–2022 | Sheffield United | ||
| 2022– | Tottenham Hotspur | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022– | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023– | England U19 | 5 | (3) |
| 2024– | England U20 | 3 | (1) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:15, 30 August 2022 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:46, 17 November 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career
editEarly career
editLankshear was at the Arsenal Academy before joining up with Sheffield United. He agreed a scholarship contract with Sheffield United in February 2021.[3] Lankshear was the top scorer in the division as he captained Sheffield United to the under-18 Professional Development League Division 2 title in 2021–22. He scored 38 goals in 48 appearances for the Sheffield United age-group teams in total. Sheffield United first team manager Paul Heckingbottom described him as having “a good gift to score goals”, and Sheffield United were ready to offer him a new contract.[4] However, amid interest from Premier League club Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur agreed to pay £2 million to Sheffield United for him on 31 August 2022,[5] with £1 million of the fee guaranteed and further payments thought to be performance-related bonuses.[5] Some reports suggest the fee could rise to £2.5 million with Heckingbottom admitting it was “a good deal” for the youngster considering they had picked him up for free only a year previously.[6] Lankshear signed a contract with Tottenham running until the summer of 2025.[7]
Tottenham Hotspur
editOn 8 October 2022, Lankshear made his debut as a substitute for Spurs' under-18s with his team 3–1 down against the Wolverhampton Wanderers youth side, and scored a quick-fire brace to level the match.[8] Lankshear paid tribute to the strength and conditioning work he had undertaken since joining Tottenham Hotspur.[8] Playing in the UEFA Youth League against Sporting Lisbon, Lankshear scored after 46 seconds.[9]
Lankshear scored 23 goals for Tottenham's U21 team in the 2023–24 Premier League 2 season, including a brace in the 3–1 play-off final victory against Sunderland. His performances saw him named as the league's Player of the Season.[10][11]
On 3 October 2024, Lankshear made his senior debut for Tottenham, starting a 2–1 away win over Hungarian champions Ferencvárosi TC in the UEFA Europa League.[12] He scored his first goal for the club on 7 November in a 3–2 away defeat to Galatasaray in the same competition, before being sent off for receiving two yellow cards.[13]
International career
editLankshear scored on his debut for England U19 on 15 November 2023, in a 6–0 win over Romania U19.[14]
On 10 October 2024, Lankshear made his U20 debut during a 2-1 win over Italy in Frosinone.[15]
Style of play
editLankshear has been described as a “poacher” who is “outstanding in front of goal”.[16]
Personal life
editLankshear is reportedly a Tottenham Hotspur supporter.[17]
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of match played 7 November 2024
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Tottenham Hotspur U21 | 2022–23[18] | — | — | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2023–24[19] | — | — | — | — | 3[a] | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||||||
| 2024–25[20] | — | — | — | — | 1[a] | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | ||||||
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2024–25[20] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[b] | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | |
| Career total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 4 | ||
- ^ a b c Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
References
edit- ^ "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". www.premierleague.com.
- ^ a b c "Will Lankshear". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Summerscales, Robert (31 August 2022). "Tottenham Sign Former Arsenal Teenager Will Lankshear From Sheffield United". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Hemmingham, Nathan (31 August 2022). "Inside Tottenham's deal for Sheffield United ace Will Lankshear and his 'gift for scoring goals'". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ a b Thomas, Lyall (26 August 2022). "Tottenham to sign £2m young striker Will Lankshear from Sheffield United one year after Arsenal release". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Hall, Danny (31 August 2022). "Fee revealed as Sheffield United man nears Premier League transfer - What boss said about "good deal"". The Star. National World. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Lankshear joins from Sheffield United". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ a b Hemmingham, Nathan (12 October 2022). "Will Lankshear opens up on 'brilliant' Tottenham Hotspur start following Sheffield United move". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Guest, Rob (26 October 2022). "Tottenham vs Sporting CP UEFA Youth League highlights as Will Lankshear nets in defeat". Football London. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Lankshear brace fires Under-21s to Premier League 2 play-off final triumph". Tottenham Hotspur. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Gold, Alasdair (27 May 2024). "Lankshear makes Postecoglou plan and names 'unbelievable' Spurs wonderkid". Football London. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Ferencvaros 1-2 Tottenham: Youthful Spurs side win in Hungary in Europa League". BBC Sport. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Galatasaray 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur: Victor Osimhen scores twice in thriller". BBC Sport. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Smith, Frank (15 November 2023). "Report: England MU19s 6-0 Romania U19". England Football. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ^ Vassell, Zac (10 October 2024). "Report: England Men's ELS 2-1 Italy". England Football. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ Connor, Lee. "The 5 Sheffield United academy stars Heckingbottom could call upon next season". Sheffield United News. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Hemmingham, Nathan (31 August 2022). "Inside Tottenham's deal for Sheffield United ace Will Lankshear and his 'gift for scoring goals'". MSN. Retrieved 12 June 2023. [dead link]
- ^ "Games played by Will Lankshear in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ "Games played by Will Lankshear in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Games played by Will Lankshear in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
External links
edit- Will Lankshear at Soccerway