Rapper Drake called me to convince me to quit Tottenham.. I thought it was Aaron Lennon winding me up says Jermain Defoe

JERMAIN DEFOE says music icon Drake persuaded him to join Toronto from Tottenham – but only after thinking Aaron Lennon was playing a cruel prank. The legendary striker, 43, hit the headlines when his spell as Woking’s boss ended after only SIX competitive showdowns last month. Jermain Defoe quit Tottenham for Toronto in 2014 Credit: Phil Shephard-Lewis – The Sun Drake convinced the legendary striker to head to Canada Credit: Getty But Defoe, who was blasted by the non-league minnows following his exit, had a stunning career with Spurs. He made 363 appearances across two spells on Tottenham’s books – notching 143 goals along the way. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Defoe quit the North Londoners when MLS side Toronto came calling in 2014. And Canadian rapper Drake was tasked with convincing the England icon to make the stunning move. But Defoe was certain Tottenham team-mate Lennon, 39, was winding him up when he picked up the phone. The former West Ham and Portsmouth marksman told the Mirror: “I remember being out for dinner with my cousin. “I got a phone call, said ‘hello, who’s this’, and he said ‘It’s Drake’. Yeah, good one – I thought he was winding me up! “I actually thought it was Aaron Lennon, I thought, ‘Wow, your Canadian accent is unbelievable’. But no, it was Drake. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Defoe thought he was being pranked by Aaron Lennon Credit: Alamy “We had a conversation and I remember he spoke about Toronto, the city, what it’s like, the people, the football club, and that was it. I decided to sign and I loved it.” Defoe went on to find the net 12 times in 21 appearances for the Canadian side, whose home was on hosting duties for this summer’s World Cup. And it allowed him to reunite with ex-Tottenham pal Ryan Nelsen, who was in charge of Toronto, despite initially having doubts. The lethal finisher, who bagged a brace at Soccer Aid in June, added: “I remember getting a call from Ryan Nelsen. “I played with Ryan at Tottenham towards the back end of his career. Obviously, he got the Toronto job and we spoke about the opportunity of going there. “At the time I said I don’t think it’s going to happen because I was at Tottenham and I was settled and didn’t really think I was going to leave.” Defoe scored 12 goals for Toronto Credit: PA:Empics Sport Defoe reignited his Premier League career by joining Sunderland after a year-long spell with Toronto. And he returned to the Stadium of Light, following stints with Bournemouth and Rangers, before announcing his retirement in 2022. Comment now