Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Jamie Donley has earned plaudits from the likes of Martin Keown and Pep Guardiola this season
Sign up to our LondonWorld Today newsletter
Sign up
Thank you for signing up!
Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LondonWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
Submitting...
Tottenham Hotspur youngster Jamie Donley has revealed Ange Postecoglou’s final message to him before his loan spell at Leyton Orient.
Donley, 20, is currently thriving in League One and has been one of the standout players in Richie Wellens’ play-off chasing side. The England Under-20 international, has scored six goals and assisted five times in 25 league appearances as a central attacking midfielder and also formed a key part of the team which went on a steady cup run to the FA Cup fourth round before falling short in a narrow 2-1 defeat to English champions Manchester City.
The youngster, who was born in Antrim, Northern Ireland has earned a reputation as a rising star this season and has been praised by the likes of Pep Guardiola, Martin Keown and Chris Sutton. But what does the future hold for him at Tottenham and is he likely to be a part of Postecoglou’s team next season?
Jamie Donley drops claim on Tottenham return
Jamie Donley has been on the books at Tottenham since he was eight years old and he has always been highly rated by coaches at the club. In January 2022 he signed his first professional contract with Tottenham after helping the young Lillywhites team to Under-17 and Under-18 Premier League Cup triumphs while representing both teams in the final.
A year later he extended his stay until 2027 before firing in 11 goals and registering 20 assists in 49 appearances at Under-21 level.
Donley made four appearances for the first team during Ange Postecoglou’s first season at the club and was sent out on loan to harness his potential this term. Leyton Orient, who helped nurture Harry Kane in his early years, took advantage of the situation and signed the player on a season-long loan deal over the summer.
The 20-year-old had previously been compared to Kane due to his ability to drop deep and play decisive passes while also having excellent ability in front of goal. The Belfast Telegraph made the comparisons and claimed that both Northern Ireland and England had been involved in a lengthy battle over getting him to commit allegiances.
"If I had even half the career that Harry's had I'd be absolutely delighted," said Donley via The Mirror. “The fact that Kane started [at Orient] just goes to show that if he can go on to do what he's done then anyone can.”
He added when discussing his Spurs future: "I've said before in an interview that Ange spoke to me and said when I come back in pre-season just make sure you're a better player when you come back in pre-season.I think I've definitely done that; I've learned off the experienced players that are here at Orient.I think time will tell, but obviously my focus is on the rest of this season. Then I'll have my time off and we'll see."
Jamie Donley earns big credit for stellar season
Jamie Donley has quickly established himself as a fan favourite in East London and has been a catalyst for Richie Wellens’ team in the second half of the season.Wellens tipped Donley for the top when he etched his name into FA Cup folklore with a moment of magic against Manchester City. Donley sent the fans into pandemonium after 16 minutes of their fourth-round tie when his 40-yard lob struck the crossbar and bounced in off City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
“Going forward Championship will be minimum for him,” Wellens acknowledged after a narrow 2-1 loss to City, via the Independent. “Unless we’re in the Championship, there’s no way we get him back next year.
”The plan for Jamie was one of two things. He comes to us, develops, grows into a man and then goes back to Tottenham and maybe gets into their first team. If not, then he goes to the Championship, so there is a clear development plan for him going forward. Spurs have been great with us, loaned us one of their best young players and we think we’ve developed him really well over the last six months. “And if he carries on with the same attitude, the same intensity, the same work ethic and mentality, then he might be playing against City week in, week out.”
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola also took time to heap praise on the youngster. He said in his post match press conference: "When you concede this goal, you just congratulate Donley. He's an incredible left-footed player and he made a fantastic goal.”
"It's an absolutely remarkable goal," said ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown on Match of the Day. "It's the strike of a lifetime. To even think about shooting from there - wow. “What a spot," enthused Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live. "What a story. It's absolutely sensational.
Leyton Orient, who will hope to retain Donley for longer by winning promotion, are currently sixth in the table and narrowly ahead of Charlton Athletic and Bolton Wanderers on goal difference. They travel to Birmingham City in their next encounter in a match which Spurs fans are likely to keep an eye on.