Tottenham goalkeeper returned for the final match of the under-18s season.
General view of Tottenham’s new training ground
Tottenham Hotspur teenager Jonathan De Bie suffered a serious injury in action for Belgium’s under-17 side in early February.
De Bie suffered a ruptured spleen and was rushed to hospital in the south of France where the match took place.
The 16-year-old returned to light training for Spurs in late February but has been kept out of action since, until this weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur flag
De Bie was selected to start in Tottenham’s final match of the under-18s season yesterday against Derby County.
The youngster will not have been pleased with conceding three goals in the 3-3 draw with the Rams, but simply getting back on the pitch was a big step.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino with head of coaching and development John McDermott during training
His performance drew praise from head of development John McDermott, who had kind words to say about the teenager who turns 17 later this month.
He told Tottenham’s official website: “A huge positive today was Jonathan De Bie.
“After coming back from such a serious injury to his spleen, the commitment and bravery he showed epitomises what’s needed to be a professional footballer.”
De Bie signed for Spurs last summer from Belgian side KV Mechelen, a year after having a trial at Liverpool.
His journey to the Tottenham first team if it takes him there will likely be a long one, but his fighting spirit is clearly already winning over the club’s staff, and this early scrape with adversity will stand him in good stead for the rest of his career.
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