Harry Kane explains shirt number evolution from 18 to 9 & why he took certain jerseys with Tottenham, Bayern Munich & England

Kane’s first squad number was actually 37, having been handed that spot when making his way out of Tottenham’s academy system. A number of loan spells were taken in before finally making a senior breakthrough in north London.

There was to be no stopping him from there, with the No.18 shirt being inherited from fellow frontman Jermain Defoe. Kane became Spurs' No.10 in 2015-16 and would go on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.

A move to Bayern Munich was made in 2023, where he followed in Robert Lewandowski's footsteps as a prolific No.9, with the same jersey being donned while captaining England.

Kane has told his channel on Cleats Club: “Each number had a different meeting. Eighteen was given to me by Jermain Defoe when he left Tottenham. I loved watching him play, he was a fantastic goalscorer - he wanted me to have it because he knew I would go on and score plenty of goals.

“Then I wanted to be No.10 because of the history of the No.10 at Tottenham. And then No.9, I see myself as a striker and a goalscorer and I think No.9 is the main number for that.

“Obviously when I went to Bayern, it was an important number to take over. Same with England. Being the England No.9 as well, has a special ring to it.”

Kane has registered 82 goals for Bayern through 91 appearances in all competitions. He is a two-time Bundesliga Golden Boot winner and broke his trophy curse in 2024-25 when claiming the German top-flight title.