WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?

A creative midfielder who was full of heart and desire, LEWIS HOLTBY made his Spurs debut against this afternoon’s opposition back in January 2013 and went on to make 42 appearances in our colours, scoring three goals. We caught up with the Germany international to discuss his time at the Club and find out what he is up to now…

- Liam Carson

Dynamic and passionate on the pitch, Lewis Holtby became a fans’ favourite during his brief stint in north London with his spirited and tenacious performances in a Spurs shirt. Now aged 31, his playing career continues back in his homeland of Germany as he turns out for 2. Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel.

An energetic midfielder, Lewis was born and raised on the German border with the Netherlands in the town of Erkelenz and kicked off his footballing education with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Moving to Alemannia Aachen soon after to continue his development, it was with the North Rhine-Westphalia side that he made his professional debut at the age of 17, however it was during his time at Schalke 04 where he made his name.

Having enjoyed a bright loan spell at Mainz 05 in the 2010/11 season, producing performances that earned him his first call-up to the German national team, he then starred at the Veltins-Arena alongside a new crop of German talents including Manuel Neuer, Benedikt Howedes and Julian Draxler, enjoying two top four finishes in the Bundesliga and a journey to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2012.

Come the 2012/13 season though, Lewis was keen for a new challenge, and that came for him here in his father’s homeland, as he made the move to England to join us in January, 2013. Making a bright start to his Spurs career under Andre Villas-Boas, he showed his creative vision and energy from the off and soon became a popular figure with our fanbase at the Lane.