Tottenham Hotspur and Italy defender Destiny Udogie has publicly addressed a terrifying alleged incident for the first time, revealing the "shock" of being threatened with a gun and praising his club's unwavering support.
Udogie's gratitude for Tottenham's response
The Premier League star was allegedly threatened by a football agent on September 6, with Metropolitan Police called to the scene at 11.14pm. In his first comments since the event, Udogie expressed profound gratitude for how Tottenham have handled the situation.
"The club showed me good support and was next to me every day," Udogie told The Athletic. "I'm really grateful to them for what they have done and for keeping me and my family safe. It's really good for me."
He emphasised how crucial this backing was, especially as a relative newcomer to the capital. "Obviously, it was important. Because it's a new city for me. It's my third year at Spurs but obviously London is a big city. So to be here with my family and my daughter, it's good to have the club around me."
A shocking ordeal and legal proceedings
The 22-year-old left-back described the alleged threat as a deeply distressing experience. "It was not something I'd wish on anyone," the former Udinese player stated. "It was a shock. But it's OK, now we look forward."
A Tottenham spokesperson confirmed in November that the club had been providing continuous support. "We have been providing support for Destiny and his family since the incident and will continue to do so," they said, noting that the matter remained an ongoing legal case.
Head coach Thomas Frank also addressed the situation in early October, highlighting the collective effort to support the player. "It is a terrible situation to have been in and I can't speak too much about it as it's a legal case, as we know, but the club and we have done everything we can to support him," Frank said. "We'll do that and he's clearly doing well on the pitch, which is good and we'll keep supporting him."
Focus returns to the pitch
Despite the off-field trauma, Udogie has maintained his focus on football. A member of Spurs' Europa League-winning squad last season, he has made 15 appearances for the North London club this term.
After overcoming an injury setback, he has started the last three Premier League matches under Frank. Most recently, he completed the full 90 minutes in Tottenham's 2-2 comeback draw against Newcastle United on Tuesday.
The defender's resilience appears strong as Spurs prepare for their next challenge: a London derby against Brentford this weekend. Frank will be seeking a first league win in six matches, hoping his squad, including the supported Udogie, can deliver a vital performance.
