Inter Signs Spence Until 2031: A Strategic Move for the Right Flank

Inter have made their move and made it big. The club have completed the permanent signing of Spence from Tottenham Hotspur, tying the 26-year-old to San Siro on a long-term deal running until June 2031.

Fresh off his birthday and fresh from medicals with both Inter and CONI, Spence signed a contract worth a reported €2.5 million per season, with performance-related bonuses on top. Tottenham, who took him from Middlesbrough in July 2022 for an initial £19 million, receive €31.5 million up front, with a further €3.5 million linked to add-ons and milestones.

For Inter, this is not a gamble. It is a calculated return.

Spence already knows Italian football, having impressed during a six-month loan spell with Genoa in the 2024 season. That stint did more than just restore his confidence; it convinced Inter’s hierarchy that he had the engine, discipline and personality to fit into Cristian Chivu’s demanding system.

Crucially, he brings versatility. Comfortable on either flank as a wing-back, Spence gives Chivu the option to flip systems mid-game without a substitution. In a side built on width, intensity and quick transitions, that kind of tactical flexibility is gold.

His reputation has soared since the 2026 World Cup in North America. Spence was a constant presence for the Three Lions, featuring in all eight of England’s matches. He started the semifinal defeat to Argentina and the third-place playoff win over France, performances that underlined his ability to handle the highest stage and the highest pressure.

At Tottenham, his story was one of persistence. Eighty-five appearances in all competitions tell of a player who had to fight for his place, adapt to different managers and systems, and grow through inconsistency. Now, his departure is framed not as an exit, but as a natural next step.

Spurs, for their part, have already moved to reshape their full-back department. The arrival of veteran Andy Robertson on a free transfer from Liverpool gives them an experienced presence on the left side of defence, leadership in the dressing room, and a clear pathway to refresh the flanks without Spence.

Inter, meanwhile, continue their quiet English revolution. Spence becomes the second England international to arrive at the club this summer, following defender John Stones, who joined on a free from Manchester City. With Stones at the back and Spence out wide, Chivu’s side suddenly has a distinctly Premier League edge.

All of it feeds into a clear objective: hit the ground running. Inter open their Serie A campaign at home to Monza on August 22, and by then, the expectation will be simple. Spence is not just there to strengthen the right flank. He is there to own it.