Anton Walkes sends emotional message on Twitter as Tottenham departure confirmed

Anton Walkes has left Tottenham to join Portsmouth.

Anton Walkes of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League 2 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton on January 15, 2018 in Enfield, England.

Tottenham Hotspur academy defender Anton Walkes has left the club after spending the last five years with their academy.

Walkes has joined League One side Portsmouth on a permanent basis after a successful stint at Fratton Park earlier in 2018.

The 21-year-old made only one appearance for Tottenham, in the League Cup against Gillingham in early 2016, coming on as a substitute with Marcus Edwards.

Walkes sent a message on Twitter thanking the club’s coaching staff for all their help in his career so far.

Can’t thank some of the people @SpursOfficial enough for the years of belief and effort installed into me. Now time to put all that to good use… all the best
— W (@AntonWalkes) July 18, 2018

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Walkes had an earlier loan stint at MLS side Atlanta United last year.

The full-back was just too far down the pecking order to stand a chance of breaking through into the Tottenham first team.

After getting a taste of regular football last season there was little sense in him staying in Spurs’ under-23 side, and the timing of his departure feels like the right decision.

Anton Walkes of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League 2 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea on January 6, 2017 in Enfield, England.