Who is Tottenham’s New Academy Sensation Mikey Moore

Tottenham Hotspur are well-known for producing impressive talent from their academy. Maybe not at the level of Arsenal or Chelsea, but a quick look at Hotspur Way would highlight their success. Harry Kane rose from the depths of the academy to become the club’s record goalscorer. In recent years, the likes of Harry Winks and Kyle Walker-Peters have also gone on to be successful prodigies.

But the past is gone; the future is here. Mikey Moore, Tottenham’s new teenage sensation, epitomises that philosophy. The exciting winger was part of the squad, although not on the bench, as Spurs faced Arsenal, and made his Premier League debut against Manchester City in May 2024.

The forward who won’t turn 17 until August has the makings of a world-class prospect, and already has clubs across Europe trying to secure his signature, with the interest increasing after lighting up England’s run to the quarter-finals of the 2024 U17 Euros. He’s remained loyal so far. Europa League qualification for the 2024/25 season could bring even more first-team opportunities. Here’s everything you need to know about a figure who might be Spurs’ greatest academy prospect in years.

Mikey Moore’s Tottenham Career

A quick glance at Moore’s stats as a teenager immediately highlights how he is one of the most talented players at his age – not just in England, but around the world. At the age of 15, he started to feature for Tottenham’s U18 in the U18 Premier League. For some, the increase in level would have proven to be too much, but not for Moore. In his first campaign, he registered three goals and four assists in 10 matches, acting as a shining star at Hotspur Way.

He also made two appearances in the Premier League 2 that campaign, providing crucial experience at a higher level, even if he didn’t contribute to any goals. Alongside this, he scored a sparkling brace in the U17 final as Spurs defeated Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in the U17 Premier League Cup, while also contributing three goals in the early rounds of the club’s U18 success.

However, as he turned 16 and the country started to realise just how good Moore could be, he stepped up his game. Improving as a player is natural at this age, but performing levels above the opposition is not. Ange Postecoglou was convinced by Moore’s domination at youth level to hand him a senior debut at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. At the tender age of 16 years and 277 days, Moore became the youngest Spurs player in Premier League history, a milestone which he later described as the “proudest moment of my life”.

Mikey Moore’s Height and Age

Born on 11th August 2007, Mikey Moore is currently 16 years old. Very few players are ever competing at the top of the professional game at that age, with Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal – one of the best young players in the world – a freak anomaly. Moore has seen several players make the odd appearance at 16 or 17 in the Premier League though – including his colleague at international youth level, Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri – which will only increase his dream of playing in the top flight.

Moore is 1.8m tall (five feet, 11 inches) tall, which affords him an imposing figure for a winger, particularly at his age. It’s helped him compete physically with his pace and strength in the youth leagues, knowing defenders are scared by his natural gifts.

Mikey Moore’s Position and Style of Play

Moore is naturally a left winger, capable of cutting inside and causing problems with his stronger right foot. However, his versatility is what makes him stand out from the crowd. Need him to stay wide and use his pace to stretch the opposition? He can do that. Need the teenage sensation to play as a striker? No problem. Want him to act as a playmaker and number 10? He’s done that as well. Playing in different positions is part of the nurturing phase footballers go through, but being able to play all of them so seamlessly is a talent in itself.

The right-footed winger has shown his quality time and time again. In the video above, he scores a stunning strike during England U17’s 2-2 draw with Norway. To take control of the ball, realise the goalkeeper is off his line, and then powerfully fire a lob over him is remarkable. “To dare is to do”, Spurs’ iconic slogan says; Moore did exactly that with this goal for his country.

Confidence is such a crucial part of a player’s rise to the top of the professional game. Having the audacity to score a goal like that, even if it was during a meaningless friendly, speaks volumes of his attitude. Words from the Guardian’s David Hytner highlighted his talent during their ‘next generation piece‘ at the end of 2023:

You can see exactly that during the match. He poses a staggering confidence early on, immediately asking for the ball on the left flank. When he did receive it, there was immediately a sense of danger. A sense that Spurs were about to threaten — and they did exactly that. Picking up the ball on the left flank, the youngster quickly drove forward, leaving no time for the opposition to think, before cutting in, beating one defender, sprinting past another, and curling a stunning shot into the bottom, right corner.

His second goal that match was nowhere near as impressive, but it showed his poacher’s instinct in the box, being in the right place at the right time to extend Spurs’ lead. It’s all part of his exciting all-round play, which makes him stand out on the field.

Contract

In June 2023, Moore committed his future to Tottenham with a contract that ends in 2026 and will turn professional once he turns 17 in August. It was a clear statement of intent from both the player and the club. It came just months after rumours swirled regarding his future, with Barcelona and several major European clubs said to be interested.

As he continues to improve and first-team minutes surely arrive, it is likely Moore will state his intent once again. But that requires minutes. He needs opportunities which Spurs have struggled to give under previous managers. On X, formerly Twitter, it’s clear to see Moore’s love for the club. He’s always supported them, familiar with what each match means to the supporters, and that will only help his path from academy prospect to first-team superstar.

Mikey Moore’s Future at Tottenham

Despite less financial revenue and no magic nights with the famous anthem, there are countless positives to playing in the Europa League. Opportunities for Moore and other youth prospects, namely Alfie Dorrington, Tyrese Hall and Jamie Donley, will likely arise, allowing them to showcase their talent in a less pressured environment where Spurs will be one of the favourites.

Nurturing them alongside first-team players will provide the experience that they desperately need to reach the top of the professional game. Postecoglou has spoken highly of the youngster during the 2023/24 season, stating in April 2024 that his training levels have been impressive.

Amid words of positivity from the first-team manager, Spurs being determined to help youth players progress into the first-team, and a second-tier European competition coming into the forefront, Moore has the perfect foundation to shine in N17 as someone who has been billed as the club’s best prospect since a certain Harry Kane, one of the greatest strikers in their history.

Mikey Moore’s England Career

Moore had already played for England’s U15 and U16 before moving up to the U17 squad in September 2023. The prodigious youngster quickly proved to be a key member of a talented group, notably nabbing a hat-trick against Croatia in November, and announced himself on the wider stage with a stunning series of individual contributions for England at the U17 Euros in Cyprus during May 2024.

It only took Moore 81 seconds to nod in his first goal of the tournament against France. The Tottenham teenager nabbed his second in a 4-0 thumping with a spell-binding, weaving effort. Moore scored in defeat to Portugal before curling a sumptuous winner into the top corner against Spain from the edge of the box. Despite his best efforts, including a converted spot-kick, England were knocked out of the quarter-finals by Italy via a penalty shootout.

Stats via Transfermarkt and Forza Football (correct as of 17th July 2024)