Tottenham Hotspur recently released eight players from their senior and youth squads as their contracts came to an end.
Among the youth players are Charlie Sayers, Billy Heaps, Kieran Morgan, and Han Willhoft-King.
According to club insider and lawyer John Wenham, Han Willhoft-King was offered a new contract by Spurs.
However, the defensive midfielder chose to decline the offer and part ways with the club.
Wenham revealed that the Lilywhites were keen to retain Willhoft-King, but the player believed his best opportunities lay elsewhere.
The 18-year-old was a regular in the U18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup, making 16 appearances across all competitions and scoring two goals.
Willhoft-King has been with Spurs since the age of six, progressing through the youth ranks and earning recognition as the best player in his age group by The Guardian in September 2022.
In an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, Wenham explained that the club had extended a new contract to Willhoft-King, which he turned down.
Wenham supported the player’s decision, suggesting it was the right move for his career development.
He noted that with teammates Tyrese Hall and George Abbott securing long-term deals, Willhoft-King might have felt his opportunities to progress were limited at Spurs.
Wenham praised the young midfielder’s bravery in seeking faster advancement elsewhere and wished him luck in his future endeavours.
He said:
“Willhoft-King was offered a new contract but decided to turn it down.
“It is absolutely the correct decision for him. Tyrese Hall and George Abbott have both signed long-term deals, and he probably felt that the same pathway wasn’t available to him.
“He is going to try his luck elsewhere and good luck to him.
“This is a brave decision, he has chosen to turn down a contract in an attempt to make faster progress somewhere else. I wish him the best of luck with that.”
This decision marks a significant step in Willhoft-King’s career as he looks for new opportunities to grow and develop as a player.
