João Palhinha Reveals Emotional Reason Behind His Tottenham Shirt Number

‎Tottenham announced a double shirt number update on Tuesday afternoon following the signing of João Palhinha this summer.

‎The club confirmed over the weekend that they had acquired the former Fulham midfielder on a loan deal, with an option to purchase.

‎The Portuguese international joins with extensive top-flight experience from recent years in Portugal, Germany, and England. Tottenham announced on Tuesday afternoon which squad number he will wear.

‎What makes the number six so special?

‎Palhinha will wear the number six shirt, choosing the vacant squad number after Radu Dragusin switched to number three ahead of the new season.

The midfielder previously wore 16 at Bayern and 26 at Fulham, and he explained why the number six is a special number he intends to keep throughout his career.

‎“I try to choose always a number with a six. Sometimes it’s not available, but since I started my career, it has been a number that I’ve had with me because of my family.

‎“It means a lot for me because of my grandfather… It’s the day that he left our family, and since my grandfather died, if I have a look, a lot of important things in my life have happened on this day, with the number six.”

‎The number six will stay with him for life

‎During his three seasons with Sporting B, Palhinha wore the numbers 86 and 66. He shared more about his superstition and explained that he wants to keep the number close to him because of its special significance.

‎“I can remember my first goal… everything that has been important in my career, not just the career, but in other things as well, most of the days have the number six.

‎“I’m a bit superstitious and I believe always that this number has an important meaning for me and my family, and this is why I want to keep, if possible, the number with me on the shirt.”

‎Palhinha is ready for his debut

‎The 30-year-old might make his debut for Spurs against his parent club in Thursday’s pre-season friendly in Germany. He expressed excitement about wearing his new number proudly on his back for his new team.

‎“I feel like this number represents me. I have been wearing it in the national team for three years, and I just feel it really represents who I am someone who is always ready to give everything for the team.

‎“Now, I’m really proud to wear it in North London.”