After an interesting transfer saga earlier in the summer, Dutch international Xavi Simons arrived in North London as Tottenham Hotspur’s new number 7 after club legend Heung-Min Son’s departure. He admitted to the pressure the shirt came with and recognised the South Korean international’s legacy at the club, while stressing on wanting to make his own legacy at the club.
A few weeks ago, the summer signing was given a tour of some of the most famous locations in North London by former Spurs captains and legends, Ledley King and Michael Dawson, with one of the locations being The Antwerp Arms, the oldest pub in N17. Owned by the Spurs community it is a historic location for everyone associated with the Lilywhites, fans and players alike.
King and Dawson were the right figures to have been chosen to guide the Lilywhites’ new signing as the former is regarded as one of Spurs’ greatest ever players having played the length of his entire career at White Heart Lane, while the latter has established himself as a modern day Spurs icon recording 300+ career appearances for the club.
King and Dawson were both part of the squad that lifted the 2008 League Cup at Wembley Stadium, their last recorded major trophy prior to the club’s Europa League triumph earlier this year.
The English pair had a long conversation with the midfielder where it was revealed how well he settled in the dressing room while adapting to the intensity of the Premier League.
Yeah I would say I’ve moved in the past into different leagues and different cultures. For me, I’m a person that adapts really quickly, and now coming into the Premier League, the biggest competition in the world, where the best players play.…At the end I’m just happy to be here with my teammates and improving everyday.
Simons was asked if he has created a bond with his teammates apart from his fellow national team member, Micky Van de Ven, to which he replied,
Yeah Micky obviously from the national team, I’ve played with Wilson Odobert in Paris and I’ve played against a lot of the guys in the team…you create a bond, even if you play against each other…it was easy for me to interpret it.
We play a lot of UNO, it is very intense, no one wants to lose. It creates a bond outside the pitch. If I’m honest I’ll put myself as the best [in UNO] along with Djed Spence.
When asked about his performance in the Champions League against Copenhagen, he said,
I’m still three months, four months here, at the end in this game I was feeling really good together with the team…this game you could see it really I was feeling [like] myself and the most important thing was the three points.
He was also shown some iconic North London derbies to introduce him to the rivalry’s importance.
"I'm manifesting a good, good day!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 23, 2025
Xavi Simons can’t wait for his first North London Derby and says he’s hoping to score against Spurs’ rivals 👀 pic.twitter.com/QEc9Sly2jR
He was then taken to Haringey to visit the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, the club’s official charitable body, where the trio enjoyed gaming sessions and conversing with the young kids in the youth development system.
On the pitch however, the 22 year-old didn’t have the best of starts to life in N17 but has almost solidified himself as a fan favourite with his recent output for the Lilywhites, having scored 2 goals and providing 1 assist in his last two games, collecting the Player of the Match award in both as he faced Brentford and Slavia Prague in the Premier League and the Champions League, respectively.
The former Leipzig player posted a celebratory selfie with Dawson and King, after the Champions League triumph over the Slavists, outside the famous pub he visited with the pair a few weeks ago, and quoted, “Had some elite guides showing me around N17”
Had some elite guides showing me around N17 😬 pic.twitter.com/13cmlXhJZX
— Xavi Simons (@xavisimons) December 11, 2025
Fans on X were quick to react to their summer signing loving life in Tottenham colours..
@Billie_T: You’re gonna be a Tottenham legend like them one day
@Daily_Hotspur: We struck gold…
@Chaabi4K: Fully COYS .. love it
@jenkobuster: Xavi, you were in the presence of greatness
@N17W5: just an absolute pleasure to watch you,thankful to whoever called you and that you said yes. Gotta start learning the word for special in all the languages you speak
@AlpharyBlaze: We called again and you answered it in style….. Thank you for that!!!
@AlanR32009493: Xavi, keep leading, you can drive us forward. #COYS
@Y1D0S: 2 starts 2 90 minutes 2 goals 2 MOTM We’ve not even scratched the surface with this joker
@Blocko2508: Keep your head up and keep working hard. You have all the ability to be a superstar at Spurs. Incredible things incoming. COYS!
@fabzTHFC: Bros actually gonna be a legend here I cannot wait COME ON YOU SPURSSSSS
@Belfastjmac: Keep making those pics and hopefully seeing another 1 on Sunday COYS.
@richiecoys: If you think this is some way of getting the fans onside then let me tell you this is absolutely working!!!!!
@HotspurHailee: Next time it’s your turn to be the elite guide for future Tottenham signings. Time to make yourself the face of our club My Sweet Dutch Prince
@JoshSidnik: You’re an absolute legend mate honestly f***ing love you fella!!!
@SpursfanNL: What a player he is so happy he plays for us!
@MS_x_11: My #7 COYS!!!!
@dpthfc: Please stay forever king
@LewisKnigh10079: Yes Xavi…so happy you’re at spurs!!!
@judgeyourself99: The Antwerp? You are already a legend in my mind, born and bred N17.
