It has been over two years since goalkeeper Jonathan De Bie left Spurs’ Academy. A goalkeeper from Uccle, in Belgium, Jonathan joined Spurs’ Academy set-up at the beginning of the 2016/17 season, as a first year scholar from Belgian side KV Mechelen. He wouldn’t feature a lot for the Spurs Under 18 side in his first year of scholarship, because of a serious injury that he sustained in a game when he was on international duty with Belgium. However, De Bie would return and become the first choice goalkeeper for the Spurs Under 18 side throughout the following 2017/18 season, and he had an excellent season, even being named Spurs’ scholar of the season, at the end of season Premier League youth awards. A vocal and confident goalkeeper with fantastic reflexes, who made a real difference for the Spurs Under 18 side during that season, as he helped them to reach the final of the Under 18 Premier League Cup, Jonathan was in outstanding form during that season for Spurs at Academy level. He would later feature on occasions for the then Spurs Under 23 side and also the Under 19 side in the UEFA Youth League, as well as for Spurs at youth tournaments during the next couple of seasons.

I remember Jonathan De Bie having an outstanding game for the Spurs Under 23 side in a Premier League International Cup group-stage fixture with Athletic Bilbao B, at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium in the 2018/19 season. The goalkeeper made over a dozen saves, in what was an absolutely outstanding individual performance from the then first year professional. Jonathan didn’t feature a lot for Spurs at Academy level over the next season, and then during the 2020/21 season he would leave Spurs on a permanent transfer to join Belgian side RWD Molenbeek. He would make four competitive appearances for RWD Molenbeek during the 2020/21 season, keeping one clean-sheet. However, Jonathan hasn’t featured in a competitive game for them since then. Although this season the goalkeeper will hopefully be getting a lot of game time, as he recently joined Belgian third tier side K.S.C. Lokeren-Temse on a season long loan. Jonathan is a quality goalkeeper who was very good and reliable for Spurs at Academy level, and I wish him all the best for this season.