CLARET & BOO

Defoe backs Kudus to handle the jeers on his return to West Ham

- BY TOM VICTOR JERMAIN DEFOE

JERMAIN DEFOE has told Mohammed Kudus to embrace the hostility when the Tottenham star returns to former club West Ham today.

Kudus joined Spurs in a £55mil-lion deal after just two years at the London Stadium (below), and will have seen how Hammers fans reacted to other ex-players including Declan Rice in that time.

Defoe was given a rough ride at Upton Park on his first return, having joined Spurs in February 2004, after handing in a transfer request after the Hammers were relegated.

Looking back, though, the former England international admits he enjoyed being given a tough time - and hopes Kudus can do the same.

"It wasn't nice," Defoe said. "I'm not going to sing the song but I remember it.