Kane Explains Evolution Shirt Number From 18 To 9

Harry Kane has explained his shirt number evolution, which has taken him from 18 to 9, and why he took certain jerseys.

WHAT HAPPENED?
Kane’s first squad number was actually 37, having been handed that spot when making his way out of Tottenham’s academy system. A number of loan spells were taken in before finally making a senior breakthrough in north London.

THE BIGGER PICTURE
There was to be no stopping him from there, with the No.18 shirt being inherited from fellow frontman Jermain Defoe. Kane became Spurs’ No.10 in 2015-16 and would go on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.

DID YOU KNOW?
A move to Bayern Munich was made in 2023, where he followed in Robert Lewandowski’s footsteps as a prolific No.9, with the same jersey being donned while captaining England.

WHAT HARRY KANE SAID
Kane has told his channel on Cleats Club: “Each number had a different meeting. Eighteen was given to me by Jermain Defoe when he left Tottenham. I loved watching him play, he was a fantastic goalscorer – he wanted me to have it because he knew I would go on and score plenty of goals.

“Then I wanted to be No.10 because of the history of the No.10 at Tottenham. And then No.9, I see myself as a striker and a goalscorer and I think No.9 is the main number for that.

“Obviously when I went to Bayern, it was an important number to take over. Same with England. Being the England No.9 as well, has a special ring to it.”

WHAT NEXT?
Kane has registered 82 goals for Bayern through 91 appearances in all competitions. He is a two-time Bundesliga Golden Boot winner and broke his trophy curse in 2024-25 when claiming the German top-flight title.

Goal.com