Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed Mateus Fernandes as their latest signing, and the club has now revealed the shirt number he will wear as he begins his journey in north London.Tottenham Hotspur have finally completed their fifth signing of the summer transfer window, with Mateus Fernandes the latest big-money addition to come through the door.It is a statement signing, with Spurs smashing their record transfer fee to secure the signature of the 21-year-old, who cost them a whopping £85 million (€100m). Fernandes will now be hoping to hit the ground running as Tottenham aim to improve on their league performance, which saw them finish 17th last season.Speaking to the club’s official media following his move, Fernandes highlighted his goal as a Tottenham player. He said: “I am very excited for this next step. Spurs is a massive club and the Head Coach was a key part of why I have decided to join.“When we spoke, it was very special. We look at football in the same way – going onto the pitch as a strong team, with fight and energy, to try and win every game. I cannot wait to get started, to meet the fans, to meet everyone, and give everything for the Club.”Credit: Tony Mureithi / @tonym_visuals / @tonym_visualssportsTottenham confirm Mateus Fernandes as new number 18With the 21-year-old’s move finalised, Tottenham have now confirmed that Fernandes will be the club’s new number 18. As Spurs Web previously revealed, number 18 was always the likely choice for the midfielder, having worn it most recently at his previous club.The 18 shirt was technically held by Yang Min-hyeok who claimed it during the 2024/25 season, but the young Korean has been out on loan multiple times since then.Football London report that Fernandes specifically requested the 18, and Tottenham accepted, meaning Yang will now have to pick a new number.Our new number 1️⃣8️⃣🔗 https://t.co/87XVFOVBzk pic.twitter.com/8kzLDGhswp— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 2, 2026The history of Spurs’ number 18 shirtHowever, going down memory lane, the number 18 carries a rich history at Tottenham, given the calibre of players who have donned it in the past. Some of the standout names include Jermain Defoe and Harry Kane, two of Spurs’ most lethal finishers in recent history.Kane wore the shirt back in 2014/15, which proved to be his breakout season as a professional footballer. The Englishman was ruthless in front of goal that season, scoring 21 goals in 34 Premier League appearances under Mauricio Pochettino. However, Kane only wore the number 18 for just that season before switching to the number 10 the following year.Defoe is another standout player to have worn the 18 shirt, doing so between 2009/10 and 2013/14. The Englishman enjoyed a strong campaign in his first season with the number, scoring 18 goals in 34 appearances. Defoe remains one of Spurs’ greatest goalscorers, ranking seventh in the club’s all-time scoring chart.Fernandes certainly has big boots to fill, and Tottenham will be hoping he justifies his price tag as the club embarks on a new era under Roberto De Zerbi.Tottenham players to have worn the number 18 shirtPlayerSeasons wornMateus Fernandes2025/26 – presentYang Min-hyeok2024/25Giovani Lo Celso2023/24Giovani Lo Celso2019/20 – 2021/22Fernando Llorente2017/18 – 2018/19Harry Kane2014/15Jermain Defoe2009/10 – 2013/14Fraizer Campbell2008/09Jermain Defoe2003/04 – 2007/08Milenko Acimovic2003/04Ben Thatcher2000/01 – 2002/03Ruel Fox1999/00Steffen Iversen1996/97 – 1998/99Gerry McMahon1995/96Jürgen Klinsmann1994/95Jason Cundy1993/94READ MORE: Sandro Tonali speaks on Tottenham move just before flying to London for his medicalThe post Mateus Fernandes requests occupied Tottenham shirt number, and it has been worn by big club legends appeared first on Spurs Web.