The new Tottenham midfielder has some history with this squad number, but could it be bad news for the current owner of the shirt?
Tottenham’s Danny Rose in action against Southampton’s Victor Wanyama
A photograph published by new Tottenham signing Victor Wanyama on Twitter may indicate the midfielder’s squad number at White Hart Lane next season, all thanks to a cake given to the former Southampton man by a couple of Kenyan television companies.
Whether the gesture is celebrating Wanyama’s recent birthday, he turned 25 on Saturday, or lauding his move to the North Londoners as they prepare to return to Champions League football, the player seemed appreciative.
Aside from the fact the Kenya international seems ready to tuck into a Spurs shirted cake with the number 12 underneath his name, is further evidence that Wanyama may have already identified 12 as his chosen squad number, and not for the first time either.
It could be bad news for DeAndre Yedlin, who was allocated the number 12 shirt at Spurs last season before he went to Sunderland on loan. But luckily for the jet-heeled defender, he seems to have less attachment to the number.
Yedlin wore 24 at the Black Cats, with fellow fullback Adam Matthews in 12 and Billy Jones in 2, but he wears the standard right-back number for the US, and has appeared in 17 when at Seattle Sounders.
Sunderland’s DeAndre Yedlin in action with Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade Chamberlain
Upon arriving in the Premier League with Southampton Wanyama quickly chose the number 12 shirt, previously worn by Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, who was bumped back to number 25.
Wanyama has worn that number in the seasons since, even collecting 12 yellow cards to go along with his shirt in the season before last.
He also wears it for the Kenyan national team, despite the fact he is captain, and sported it at breakthrough club Beerschot. Good news for sports outlets everywhere looking to get their printing kits ready.
Wanyama wore the number 67 shirt at Celtic though, with Mark Wilson holding 12 when he first arrived in 2011.
Southampton’s Victor Wanyama walks off after being sent off
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
