Jermain Defoe

Defoe was born in Beckton, east London. He was born to a Dominican father{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/325221/Fresh-England-blow-as-Jermain-Defoe-flies-home-after-his-father-dies |title=Fresh England blow as Jermain Defoe flies home after his father dies |first=David |last=Pilditch |date=8 June 2012 |newspaper=Daily Express |location=London |access-date=16 March 2017}} and his mother is of Saint Lucian descent.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jul/12/jermain-defoe-tottenham-interview |title=Jermain Defoe: 'bereavement changes you completely. It makes you strong' |first=Anna |last=Kessel |date=12 July 2013 |access-date=16 March 2017 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London}} Defoe attended St Joachim Primary School in Custom House, London{{cite book |last1=Blows |first1=Kirk |first2=Ben |last2=Sharratt |title=Claret and Blue Blood, Pumping Life into West Ham United |date=July 2005 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |pages=230–234 |isbn=1-84018-489-2}} and St Bonaventure's in Forest Gate, London.{{cite news |last=Spencer |first=Claire |title=Why do some schools produce clusters of celebrities? |website=BBC News |date=6 May 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13112311 |access-date=6 May 2018}}

Defoe grew up in Canning Town and when his family moved to Beckton, played five-a-side football at Newham Leisure Centre.{{cite news |url=https://www.newham.gov.uk/Pages/ServiceChild/Interview-with-Jermain-Defoe.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106172948/http://www.newham.gov.uk/Pages/ServiceChild/Interview-with-Jermain-Defoe.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 November 2014 |title=Interview With Jermaine Dafoe: A Food And Football Revolution |access-date=24 November 2017 }} He joined the Sunday league team Senrab, well known in London for producing players such as Lee Bowyer, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Ledley King,{{cite news |title=Lessons from Senrab's soccer school |website=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3580385.stm |access-date=18 August 2007 |first=Sarah |last=Holt}} and then joined the FA National School of Excellence at Lilleshall, Shropshire, as a 14-year-old in 1997. While there, he attended Idsall School.

Defoe was spotted playing football by Charlton Athletic who enrolled him at the FA National School of Excellence at Lilleshall Hall in 1997. Two years later, he took the controversial decision, aged 16, to turn professional with West Ham United, following which Charlton were subsequently awarded compensation rising to £1.4 million contingent on Defoe's Premier League and international appearances. At West Ham, he was a member of the Under-19 team that won the Premier Academy League title in 1999–2000, scoring twice against Arsenal in the play-off final.

Defoe made his first-team debut in a League Cup match against Walsall in September 2000, scoring in a 1–0 win.{{cite news |title=Walsall 0–1 West Ham |website=BBC Sport |date=19 September 2000 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/930913.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} Shortly thereafter, he joined Second Division club AFC Bournemouth on a near season-long loan, where he scored in ten consecutive matches, equalling John Aldridge's and Clarrie Jordan's post-war record.{{cite web |url=http://www.ozwhitelufc.net.au/players_profiles/I-J/JordanC.php |title=Leeds United F.C. History |website=Ozwhitelufc.net.au |access-date=17 September 2012}}{{cite news |title=Defoe's perfect ten |website=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2001 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/1134420.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} He scored 18 goals in 29 league appearances for Bournemouth. West Ham manager Harry Redknapp tipped him for stardom, saying, "He's done great. I sent him out to Bournemouth to get some experience playing league football and he's coped marvellously. To score 10 goals in 10 games is a terrific achievement. He's a bright lad who's full of confidence. Nothing knocks him, he's a typical goal-scorer. If he misses, he'll be there the next time looking for a goal. He's a kid with a big future."{{cite news |title=Redknapp tips Defoe for stardom |website=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2001 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/1134216.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}}

Defoe finished as West Ham's top scorer in the 2001–02 season despite being used primarily as a substitute by manager Glenn Roeder, scoring 14 goals in 39 league and cup appearances, one of which was a 1–0 away win against Manchester United in December 2001, as West Ham finished seventh in the Premier League.{{cite news |title=Defoe stuns Man Utd |website=BBC Sport |date=8 December 2001 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1696344.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} He scored a further 11 goals in 42 league and cup appearances in 2002–03 but was unable to prevent West Ham from being relegated.{{cite news |title=West Ham relegated |website=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2978071.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}}

Less than 24 hours after the club had been relegated, Defoe made a written request for a transfer, saying, "As much as I love West Ham United I feel that now is the right time for me to move on in my career. This is very much a career decision. I am very ambitious and hungry to achieve at the highest levels of the game for both club and country." The timing of his request, however, drew criticism from both fans and teammates and was turned down by the club.{{cite news |title=Defoe demands transfer |website=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/3020999.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}}{{cite news |title=West Ham block Defoe move |website=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/3023583.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} He later apologised to supporters, saying, "I mishandled that move and I can only apologise. I'm young and I've learned from it. I still played my hardest for West Ham and gave them 100% and want to thank the fans for their support."{{cite news |title=Defoe apologises to Hammers |website=BBC Sport |date=3 February 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/3453503.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}}

Defoe began 2003–04 with West Ham but a refusal to sign a new contract and disciplinary problems, including three sendings-off, which saw him play only 22 matches out of a possible 34, led to West Ham accepting an offer from Tottenham Hotspur for him in the January transfer window.{{cite news |title=Spurs sign Defoe |website=BBC Sport |date=2 February 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/3452217.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}}

Defoe joined Tottenham in February 2004 for an initial fee of £6 million, rising to £7 million depending on "specific performance criteria", and with Bobby Zamora joining West Ham. Manager David Pleat said, "I can't think of a British striker at his age who has achieved as much in such a short space of time. His goal record for a 21-year-old is quite exceptional. I hope he will have a fine career at Tottenham."{{cite news |title=Pleat hails Defoe signing |website=BBC Sport |date=3 February 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/3453953.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} Defoe marked his arrival at Tottenham with a goal on his debut in the 4–3 home win over Portsmouth in February 2004{{cite news |title=Tottenham 4–3 Portsmouth |website=BBC Sport |date=7 February 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3447475.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} and added a further six in the remainder of 2003–04, scoring 7 goals in 15 matches. He then scored 13 goals in 36 matches in the Premier League, including a hat-trick in a 5–1 win over Southampton in December 2004,{{cite news |title=Tottenham 5–1 Southampton |website=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4088015.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} and nine goals in eight matches in the FA Cup and League Cup, in 2004–05. He also received the club's Player of the Year award for the 2004 calendar year, as voted by season ticket holders and Spurs members.{{cite news |title=JERMAIN IS MEMBERS CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR, 2004 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |date=28 December 2004 |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/jermain-is-members-clubltbrgtplayer-of-the-year-2004-281204/ |access-date=30 March 2017}} Despite speculation linking him with other clubs, Defoe signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Tottenham in April 2005.{{cite news |title=Defoe signs new contract at Spurs |website=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/4498321.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} The following season was not as profitable for Defoe, and Spurs manager Martin Jol used Defoe in rotation with Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov and Mido providing the competition for a starting position.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2348709/A-sinner-or-saint-Defoe-keeps-us-all-guessing.html |title=A sinner or saint, Defoe keeps us all guessing |first=Martin |last=Smith |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=24 October 2006 |access-date=3 May 2018}} Defoe started 23 times and came on as substitute 13 times, scoring nine goals.

Defoe made 49 league and cup appearances for Tottenham, scoring 18 goals, during 2006–07 as Tottenham competed in the UEFA Cup as well as the domestic competitions. He appeared to bite West Ham player Javier Mascherano on the shoulder during Tottenham's 1–0 win over West Ham in October 2006, sparking a melee between players of both teams.{{cite news |title=Tottenham 1–0 West Ham |website=BBC Sport |date=19 October 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6050700.stm |access-date=18 August 2007 |first=Ian |last=Hughes}} The FA declined to take action against Defoe as the referee, Steve Bennett, had booked Defoe for the incident.{{cite news |title=FA will not punish Defoe 'bite' |website=BBC Sport |date=23 October 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/6076094.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} Defoe scored his 50th goal for Tottenham in the 2–1 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day in December 2006, in which he scored both goals,{{cite news |title=Tottenham 2–1 Aston Villa |website=BBC Sport |date=26 December 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6200161.stm |access-date=18 August 2007 |first=John |last=Sinnott}} and scored in Tottenham's 2–0 win over Charlton in May 2007, which condemned his former club to relegation to the Championship.{{cite news |title=Charlton 0–2 Tottenham |website=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6602895.stm |access-date=18 August 2007 |first=John |last=Sinnott}} During the summer of 2007, there was speculation about Defoe's future at Tottenham following the arrival of Darren Bent for a fee of £16.5 million. However, Defoe insisted that he would stay at Tottenham and fight for his place, saying, "I'm really excited about the new season and the prospect of another campaign in Europe. We have made some good signings and are now stronger and better equipped to compete in all competitions."{{cite news |title=Defiant Defoe to fight for place |website=BBC Sport |date=5 July 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/6272284.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}}

On 20 September 2007, Defoe came on as a substitute against Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta to score twice in a 6–1 win, his first goals of the season.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6996465.stm |title=Tottenham 6–1 A. Famagusta |website=BBC Sport |access-date=12 November 2013 |first=John |last=Sinnott |date=20 September 2007}} On 25 November 2007, he missed a penalty against former club West Ham at the Boleyn Ground in added time which would have won the match for Spurs; the match finished 1–1.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7099696.stm |title=West Ham 1–1 Tottenham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=12 November 2013 |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghera |date=25 November 2007}}

Defoe joined Portsmouth in January 2008 for £7.5 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38511254 |title=Jermain Defoe: Sunderland reject West Ham's £6m bid for striker |date=4 January 2017 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=16 March 2017}} He scored the equalising goal on his debut, a 1–1 draw at home to Chelsea.{{cite news |title=Portsmouth 1–1 Chelsea |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7210607.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=2 February 2008 |access-date=3 February 2008 |first=Russell |last=Barder}} In March 2008, he was unable to play against Tottenham as the Premier League ruled that he was ineligible to do so as he was initially signed on loan in January 2008.{{cite news |title=Defoe 'ineligible' to face Spurs |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7307676.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=20 March 2008 |access-date=24 March 2008}} In Portsmouth's match against Wigan Athletic the following week, he scored twice; in so doing, he became the first ever Portsmouth player to score in his first five home matches.{{cite news |title=Pompey 2 Wigan 0 |url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/pompey-2-wigan-0-1-1292961 |newspaper=The News |location=Portsmouth |date=1 April 2008 |access-date=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327081014/http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/pompey-2-wigan-0-1-1292961 |archive-date=27 March 2017 |url-status=dead }} Due to appearances in Tottenham's third and fourth round ties, Defoe found himself cup-tied for all the subsequent matches of Pompey's successful 2007–08 FA Cup campaign.{{cite news |title=Time to abolish cup-tied rule |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/04/04/time-to-abolish-cup-tied-rule/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408143051/http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/04/04/time-to-abolish-cup-tied-rule/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 April 2008 |work=Reuters |date=4 April 2008 |access-date=27 March 2017 |first=Mike |last=Collett}} This also meant that he missed out on playing in Spurs' League Cup final victory over Chelsea, however he still received his winners' medal, albeit 10 years later, in December 2018.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7256729.stm |title=Tottenham 2–1 Chelsea |first=Jonathan |last=Stevenson |website=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2008 |access-date=3 May 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46673806 |title=Jermain Defoe gets League Cup winners' medal – 10 years after Tottenham beat Chelsea |website=BBC Sport |date=24 December 2018 |access-date=24 December 2018}} Defoe ended 2007–08 with eight goals in 12 appearances for Portsmouth.

Defoe scored Portsmouth's first goal of 2008–09 on 30 August 2008 with the opener in a 3–0 win at Everton,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7578439.stm |title=Everton 0–3 Portsmouth |website=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=McNulty |date=30 August 2008 |access-date=17 July 2017}} and then scored their first home goals on 13 September with a brace against Middlesbrough.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7601897.stm |title=Portsmouth 2–1 Middlesbrough |website=BBC Sport |date=13 September 2008 |access-date=3 May 2018}} Five days later, he contributed a goal and an assist in Pompey's first ever major European match, a 2–0 UEFA Cup first round win over Portuguese club Vitória de Guimarães on 18 September.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7615243.stm |title=Portsmouth 2–0 Guimaraes |first=Ian |last=Hughes |website=BBC Sport |date=18 September 2009 |access-date=3 May 2018}}

In January 2009, Portsmouth chairman Peter Storrie revealed Defoe's intentions to leave the club in the near future. This came after joining the club only in the same transfer window of the previous year.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4729098,00.html |title=Football | Pompey – Defoe wants to quit |website=Sky Sports |date=1 January 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}} It was reported that Defoe's former club Tottenham made a formal approach for the striker, but no agreement was reached; Spurs manager Harry Redknapp described the clubs as "miles apart in their valuation of the player", suggesting that Portsmouth wanted "in excess of £20 million".{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/4091089/Harry-Redknapp-Portsmouth-want-20m-for-Defoe.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915100532/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/4091089/Harry-Redknapp-Portsmouth-want-20m-for-Defoe.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 September 2012 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |title=Harry Redknapp: Portsmouth want £20 million for Defoe |date=3 January 2009 |access-date=6 May 2010}} After negotiations, Portsmouth accepted a bid from Tottenham thought to be around £15.75 million (including fees owed to Tottenham for the previous transfers of Younès Kaboul and Pedro Mendes and waiving a £4 million sell-on clause that had also been negotiated during his transfer from Spurs to Portsmouth) on 6 January 2009.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7807491.stm |title=Pompey accept Spurs bid for Defoe |date=6 January 2009 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 January 2009}} The player had agreed to a five-year contract and was confirmed as a Tottenham player by his new club on 9 January 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/defoereadyforwigan090109.html |title=THFC confirm Defoe registered as player |date=6 January 2009 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |access-date=9 January 2009}} Defoe was presented at White Hart Lane with a carnival atmosphere before the start of Spurs' League Cup clash against Burnley after his return to White Hart Lane.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7808011.stm |title=Tottenham 4–1 Burnley |access-date=5 May 2018 |date=6 January 2009 |website=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=McNulty}}

Defoe made his return debut on 11 January 2009 in a Premier League match against Wigan Athletic. He scored his first goal against former club Portsmouth at White Hart Lane on 18 January 2009, in a match which finished 1–1.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7815674.stm |title=Tottenham 1–1 Portsmouth |date=18 January 2009 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=18 January 2009 |first=Chris |last=Bevan}} He also scored his team's second goal in the League Cup semi-final second leg loss at Burnley, which helped Spurs book a place in the final with a 6–4 aggregate win.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/7824257.stm |title=Burnley 3–2 Tottenham (agg 4–6) |date=21 January 2009 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=27 March 2017 |first=Ian |last=Hughes}} He scored three goals in his first four matches before suffering a broken foot which meant that he returned for Spurs against Newcastle United on 19 April in which the club won 1–0.{{cite news |last=Ashenden |first=Mark |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7990173.stm |title=Tottenham 1–0 Newcastle |website=BBC Sport |date=19 April 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}} This injury meant he missed Spurs' appearance in the 2009 Football League Cup Final.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jan/30/jermain-defoe-injured-tottenham-hotspur-wilson-palacios|title=Spurs suffer Defoe blow as foot injury puts striker out for weeks |publisher=Guardian |date=31 January 2009 |access-date=14 June 2020}} He scored his first goal since his return from injury in a 2–1 win against Manchester City and helped his team secure eighth place in the league.{{cite news |first=Les |last=Roopanarine |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8038291.stm |title=Tottenham 2–1 Man City |website=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}}

On 19 August 2009, Defoe scored his first hat-trick for Tottenham in a 5–1 away victory over Hull City in the second match of the 2009–10 Premier League.{{cite news |last1=Lyon |first1=Sam |title=Hull 1-5 Tottenham |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8202440.stm |access-date=21 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 August 2009}} Following the match, his manager Harry Redknapp stated his high opinion of Defoe: "With [Cristiano] Ronaldo gone, he can push to be the [Premier League] top scorer."{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/8214728.stm |title=Defoe can be the best – Redknapp |website=BBC Sport |date=21 August 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/21/harry-redknapp-jermain-defoe-tottenham |title=Harry Redknapp wants Jermain Defoe to finish Premier League top-scorer |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 August 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010 |location=London}}{{cite web |url=http://www.spurs-web.com/2009/08/14/harry-tips-defoe-to-become-premier-league-top-scorer/ |title=Harry tips Defoe to become Premier League top scorer |website=Spurs-web.com |date=14 August 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}} After a fine run of form which saw him score seven goals for club and country, Defoe was named Premier League Player of the Month for August 2009.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8251886.stm |title=Defoe and Redknapp scoop awards |website=BBC Sport |date=11 September 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}} On 12 September 2009, Defoe scored after 38 seconds with an overhead kick against 2008–09 Premier League champions Manchester United in a match which ended in a 3–1 loss for Tottenham, taking his tally for the 2009–10 league season to five goals in five matches.{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Stevenson |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8246783.stm |title=Tottenham 1–3 Man Utd |website=BBC Sport |date=12 September 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}} On 23 September 2009, Defoe scored a header during Tottenham's 5–1 win over Preston.{{cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8257298.stm |title=Preston 1–5 Tottenham |website=BBC Sport |date=23 September 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=283589&cc=5739 |title=Crouch hat-trick sees Spurs home |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=24 September 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010 |archive-date=28 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928222037/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=283589&cc=5901 |url-status=dead }} Defoe scored a goal and was sent off during the match against his former club, Portsmouth.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_5634311,00.html |title=Redknapp angry with Defoe |website=Sky Sports |date=17 October 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}}

Defoe scored five goals at White Hart Lane in a 9–1 thrashing of Wigan on 22 November 2009. This included the second-fastest hat-trick in Premier League history, which was scored in seven minutes.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/6634356/Tottenham-goal-hero-Jermain-Defoes-five-against-Wigan-is-one-for-the-record-books.html |title=Tottenham goal hero Jermain Defoe's five against Wigan is one for the record books |last=Ley |first=John |date=23 November 2009 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=23 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124230601/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/6634356/Tottenham-goal-hero-Jermain-Defoes-five-against-Wigan-is-one-for-the-record-books.html |archive-date=24 November 2009}} In doing so, Defoe became only the third player to score five goals in one Premier League match, after Alan Shearer and Andy Cole. Dimitar Berbatov and Sergio Agüero have subsequently equalled this feat.{{cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8365091.stm |title=Tottenham 9–1 Wigan |website=BBC Sport |date=22 November 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=702242&sec=england&cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124214331/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=702242&sec=england&cc=5739 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 November 2009 |title=Premier League: Defoe stars, Rovers win away |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=22 November 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=702345&sec=england&root=england&cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127212610/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=702345&sec=england&root=england&cc=5739 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 November 2009 |title=Spurs roll back the years to the 'Glory Game' |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=22 November 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=269830&cc=5739 |title=Tottenham Hotspur 9–1 Wigan Athletic – Spurs on Cloud Nine |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=22 November 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010 |archive-date=25 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125110300/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=269830&cc=5739 |url-status=dead }} After the match, Harry Redknapp further asserted his belief that Defoe would go on to be the Premier League's top scorer in 2009–10.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8373455.stm |title=Redknapp tips Jermain Defoe to be league's top scorer |website=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}} Redknapp later said that although Wayne Rooney is the best all-round attacking player, Defoe is the best finisher in England and should be a regular for the England national team.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8373455.stm |title=Defoe 'best finisher in England' |website=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010}} On 3 February, Defoe claimed his third hat-trick of the season in an FA Cup fourth-round replay against Leeds United at Elland Road, with Spurs winning 3–1.{{cite news |first=Harry |last=Polkey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/feb/03/leeds-united-tottenham-fa-cup |title=Jermain Defoe's hat-trick brings battling Leeds United's run to an end |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 February 2010 |access-date=26 June 2010 |location=London}}{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Rory |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7158647/Jermain-Defoe-happy-to-do-his-bit-to-ease-Fabio-Capellos-headaches.html |title=Jermain Defoe happy to do his bit to ease Fabio Capello's headaches |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=5 February 2010 |access-date=26 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615212327/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7158647/Jermain-Defoe-happy-to-do-his-bit-to-ease-Fabio-Capellos-headaches.html |archive-date=15 June 2010}} His rich vein of form continued on 21 February with another goal in the Premier League, against Wigan.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8522160.stm |website=BBC Sport |title=Wigan 0–3 Tottenham |date=21 February 2010 |access-date=6 May 2010}} Defoe's next goal was a penalty in Tottenham's win against Chelsea,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8617737.stm |website=BBC Sport |title=Tottenham 2–1 Chelsea |date=17 April 2010 |access-date=9 August 2010}} which itself followed a famous 2–1 win over Arsenal.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8616181.stm |title=Tottenham 2–1 Arsenal |website=BBC Sport |first=Marc |last=Vesty |date=14 April 2010 |access-date=3 May 2018}} This took his tally to 24 goals for the season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jermain-defoe-stats-career-numbers-8460725 |title=Jermain Defoe stats: His career in numbers as he makes Sunderland transfer |first=Craig |last=Johns |website=Chronicle Live |date=16 January 2015 |access-date=3 May 2018}}

Defoe played his part in Tottenham qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage, thanks to a controversial goal against Young Boys, where he appeared to use his arm before scoring the second goal of the match, which finished 4–0 to Tottenham.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/tottenham-tear-swiss-to-shreds-in-pursuit-of-historic-triumph-2062183.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/tottenham-tear-swiss-to-shreds-in-pursuit-of-historic-triumph-2062183.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |title=Tottenham tear Swiss to shreds in pursuit of historic triumph |date=25 August 2010 |access-date=30 March 2017}} He was injured in the beginning of September when he was on duty with England,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/08/jermain-defoe-tottenham-hotspur |title=Jermain Defoe return gives Tottenham Hotspur manager a striking problem |first=David |last=Hynter |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=8 November 2010 |access-date=3 May 2018}} He made his comeback in Tottenham's 3–2 victory against Arsenal in the North London derby. He won a header which started the attack in which Gareth Bale scored five minutes in the second half to begin the comeback from 2–0 down to a 3–2 victory.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9194607.stm |title=Arsenal 2–3 Tottenham |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=20 November 2010 |access-date=3 May 2018}}

On 26 December 2010, Defoe received a straight red card, his first of the season and first since 17 October 2009, in a match at Aston Villa; his team leading at the time went on to secure the win despite playing over an hour with ten men.{{cite news |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/851428-harry-redknapp-backs-ref-over-red-card-as-spurs-beat-aston-villa |title=Harry Redknapp backs ref over red card as Spurs beat Aston Villa |newspaper=Metro |location=London}} Defoe began Tottenham's 2010–11 FA Cup campaign with a brace of goals in the third round match at home to Charlton Athletic on 9 January 2011, with Spurs winning 3–0, but in the following round, they were defeated by Fulham.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9341936.stm |website=BBC Sport |title=Tottenham 3–0 Charlton |date=9 January 2011}}

In the 2010–11 Premier League, Defoe scored his first league goals of the season on 6 March 2011 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, getting the first two for Spurs in a 3–3 draw.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9410614.stm |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |website=BBC Sport |title=Wolverhampton 3–3 Tottenham |date=6 March 2011}} He scored his third goal of the 2010–11 season with a long-range shot with his left foot against West Bromwich Albion. This was a triple landmark for Defoe, as it was his 100th Premier League goal as well as his 100th goal scored as a Tottenham player. In addition, it signified the 1,000th goal scored for Tottenham in the Premier League era.{{cite news |url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Tottenham-2-2-West-Brom-match-report-Jermain-Defoe-celebrates-century-but-Baggies-have-last-laugh-article726910.html |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |title=Tottenham 2–2 West Brom |date=23 April 2011}}

File:Jermain Defoe Brighton v Spurs Amex Opening 30711 2 (cropped).jpg in 2011]]

In pre-season, Defoe scored two goals, one coming in a 3–0 win against Orlando Pirates on 23 July, and the other in a 2–1 win against Athletic Bilbao at White Hart Lane on 6 August.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/perfect-end-to-memorable-trip-230711.html |title=Perfect end to memorable trip |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |date=23 July 2011 |access-date=15 January 2012}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/Archive/news_2011_8_3798.page |title=Looking Ready! |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |date=6 August 2011 |access-date=25 May 2012}} Defoe started 2011–12 by scoring in a 5–0 win against Hearts in a UEFA Europa League play-off match on 18 August.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14486531.stm |title=Hearts 0–5 Tottenham |website=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2011 |access-date=15 January 2012}} His first Premier League goal of the season came in a 2–0 win at Wolves, scoring the second goal after exchanging passes with Niko Kranjčar.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/14773049.stm |title=Wolves 0–2 Tottenham |website=BBC Sport |date=10 September 2011 |access-date=15 January 2012}} Defoe's first goal of 2012 came in a 1–0 home win against West Brom, converting a Gareth Bale cross.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16336960.stm |title=Tottenham 1–0 West Brom |website=BBC Sport |date=3 January 2012 |access-date=15 January 2012}} He scored on the last day of the season against Fulham, the second in a 2–0 win.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17973106 |title=Tottenham 2–0 Fulham |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghara |work=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2012 |access-date=3 May 2018}} Defoe ended the season with 17 goals in 38 matches across all competitions; in the Premier League, he scored 11 in 25 appearances, of which only 11 were starts.{{Soccerway|jermain-defoe/2950|accessdate=3 May 2018}}

Defoe started by scoring on the opening day of the 2012–13 Premier League against Newcastle United in a 2–1 defeat.{{cite web |url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Match/Report/0,,10278~2890420,00.html |title=Newcastle 2–1 Tottenham |publisher=Newcastle United F.C. |access-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111041606/http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Match/Report/0,,10278~2890420,00.html |archive-date=11 November 2013}} On 30 August 2012, Defoe signed a new three-year contract with Tottenham.{{cite news |title=Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe signs new three-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19427175 |access-date=3 September 2012 |website=BBC Sport |date=30 August 2012}} He scored the 200th goal of his club career in a 4–2 defeat to Chelsea on 20 October{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/epl-chelsea-spurs-juan-mata-lampard-terry-manchester-united-city/20121020.htm |title=EPL: Mata doubles earns Chelsea victory at Spurs |website=Rediff.com |access-date=11 November 2013}} and on 8 November, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–1 win against Slovenian club Maribor in the Europa League. In doing so, he overtook Teddy Sheringham on Tottenham's all-time goalscorers list.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20164132 |title=Tottenham 3–1 NK Maribor |website=BBC Sport |first=David |last=Ornstein |date=8 November 2012 |access-date=9 November 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3939/uefa-europa-league/2012/11/09/3513689/defoe-delighted-to-surpass-sheringhams-special-tottenham |title=Defoe delighted to surpass Sheringham's 'special' Tottenham record |website=Goal.com |access-date=11 November 2013}} On 21 April 2013, Defoe scored his 15th goal of the season in the home match against Manchester City, a 3–1 win. The goal took him level with Alan Gilzean in joint-seventh place on the all-time Tottenham scorers list.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/dinamo-tbilisi-2nd-leg-jd-300813/ |title=Spurs 3–0 Dinamo Tbilisi – Jermain's joy |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |access-date=11 November 2013}}

Defoe started 2013–14 as a substitute, with newly signed striker Roberto Soldado starting for Tottenham.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23653983 |title=Crystal Palace 0–1 Tottenham |website=BBC Sport |last=Wilkinson |first=Kerry |date=18 August 2013 |access-date=3 May 2018}} Nonetheless, manager André Villas-Boas used him as a first-choice striker for their opening matches in the Europa League, and on 29 August he scored his first goals of the campaign in a 3–0 home win against Dinamo Tbilisi.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23791024 |title=Tottenham 3–0 Dinamo Tbilisi |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 November 2013}} The result took Tottenham through to the group stages via an 8–0 aggregate victory after winning 5–0 in the first leg.

On 19 September, Defoe scored twice in a 3–0 victory against Tromsø in the Europa League group stages, taking his tally in Europe to within two goals of the record holder, Martin Chivers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24058908 |title=Tottenham 3–0 Tromso |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 November 2013}} On 24 September 2013, Defoe scored another two in a 4–0 win against Aston Villa in the League Cup, which took his tally for Tottenham to 139 goals, moving him past George Hunt as the club's fifth-highest scorer of all-time.{{cite web |url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1563238/jermain-defoe-thrilled-tottenham-goals-record?cc=3436 |title=Jermain Defoe thrilled with goals record |publisher=ESPN |access-date=11 November 2013}} His goal on 3 October against Anzhi Makhachkala in a 2–0 win took him to one short of the club's all-time record of 22 held by Chivers.{{cite news |url=http://www.london24.com/sport/tottenham/avb_backs_defoe_to_beat_chivers_record_but_west_ham_start_unlikely_1_2845018 |title=AVB backs Defoe to beat Chivers' record but West Ham start unlikely |website=London24 |access-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111010137/http://www.london24.com/sport/tottenham/avb_backs_defoe_to_beat_chivers_record_but_west_ham_start_unlikely_1_2845018 |archive-date=11 November 2013}} Two further goals, against Sheriff Tiraspol in two consecutive fixtures in the Europa League, saw Defoe with 23 European goals, one more than Chivers' previous record as Tottenham's highest European goalscorer. Defoe said Chivers had been at the match and had encouraged him to beat his record.{{cite news |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/255651.html |title=Defoe reveals Chivers chat |publisher=ESPN |access-date=11 November 2013 |archive-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111015506/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/255651.html |url-status=dead }}

File:Miazga Defends Defoe.jpg in 2014]]

On 10 January 2014, Tottenham announced that Defoe was leaving to join Major League Soccer (MLS) club Toronto FC, effective 28 February 2014. He agreed to a four-year deal worth between £68,000–90,000 per week.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25680333 |title=Jermain Defoe: Tottenham striker to join MLS side Toronto |website=BBC Sport |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=10 January 2014}} Toronto began its pursuit of Defoe the previous October, when the team management – which included Defoe's ex-Tottenham teammate Ryan Nelsen – met with him in London, and he received phone calls from rapper Drake, a Toronto native.{{cite news |url=https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=440691 |title=Defoe to arrive in Toronto and complete TFC transfer |website=The Sports Network |publisher=Bell Media |first=Luke |last=Wileman |date=8 January 2014 |access-date=11 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522072420/http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=440691 |archive-date=22 May 2014 |url-status=dead}} The transfer also includes an agreement between Tottenham Hotspur and Toronto's owners, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, involving marketing, merchandise and broadcast rights, as well as a friendly match during Tottenham's North American tour in July 2014.{{cite news |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/jermain-defoe-moves-to-mls-toronto-fc-100114/ |title=Jermain Defoe moves to MLS – Toronto FC |date=10 January 2014 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}} Defoe was immediately loaned back to Tottenham until the end of February 2014,{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-rt-uk-soccer-europa-tottenham-defoe-20140226,0,3916105.story |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140227190843/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-rt-uk-soccer-europa-tottenham-defoe-20140226,0,3916105.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 February 2014 |title=Hamstring injury denies Defoe chance of final Spurs match |date=26 February 2014 |first=Mike |last=Collett |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |quote=Although he officially signed for the Canadian outfit last month, he has been on loan back at Tottenham since then with a view to leaving this week to prepare for the new MLS season.}} with whom he made two more appearances as a substitute.{{cite news |title=Jermain Defoe's Tottenham career comes to an end ahead of Toronto move |publisher=ESPN |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/286963.html |date=26 February 2014 |access-date=1 March 2014 |archive-date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305214543/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/286963.html |url-status=dead }}

Defoe debuted with Toronto in their season opener at Seattle Sounders FC on 15 March 2014, scoring both goals in their 2–1 victory.{{cite news |last=McGran |first=Kevin |title=Jermain Defoe scores twice, Toronto FC upsets Seattle 2–1 in season opener |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/2014/03/15/jermain_defoe_scores_twice_toronto_fc_upsets_seattle_21_in_season_opener.html |access-date=16 March 2014 |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=15 March 2014}} On 31 August 2014, Toronto FC called a press conference to fire manager Nelsen; during the press conference, the general manager Tim Bezbatchenko was non-committal on Defoe's future at the club, implying that the player might be unsettled and that the club would entertain offers in excess of the £6 million paid for the striker. He said, "We're speaking with him [Defoe] and then we'll make a decision. We'll discuss it over the next 24 hours."{{cite web |url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/08/31/toronto-fcs-war-of-words-leads-to-dismissal-of-coach-ryan-nelsen/ |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20140903113510/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/08/31/toronto-fcs-war-of-words-leads-to-dismissal-of-coach-ryan-nelsen/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 September 2014 |title=Toronto FC fires coach Ryan Nelsen; Jermain Defoe could be next to leave |newspaper=National Post |location=Toronto |date=31 August 2014 |access-date=24 September 2016}}

File:Jermain Defoe of Sunderland.jpg in 2015]]

On 16 January 2015, Defoe joined Premier League club Sunderland after agreeing to a three-and-a-half-year deal, as part of a player exchange deal sending Jozy Altidore to Toronto FC,{{cite news |title=Sunderland sign England striker from Toronto |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30812115 |website=BBC Sport |date=16 January 2015 |access-date=16 January 2015}} after completing only 11 months of his four-year deal with Toronto.{{cite news |url=http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/altidore-joins-toronto-fc-from-sunderland-in-swap-deal-with-defoe-011615 |title=Altidore joins Toronto FC from Sunderland in swap deal with Defoe |date=16 January 2015 |website=Sky Sports}} He made his Sunderland debut the following day against former club Tottenham.{{cite news |last1=Anon |first1=Anon |title=Tottenham 2-1 Sunderland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30758392 |access-date=10 November 2022 |agency=BBC |publisher=BBC Sport |ref=Anon}} Defoe started the match but was goalless when he was substituted after 75 minutes, ending his record of scoring on his first appearance for every club he has played for.

{{cite news |title=Defoe's goalscoring debut record ends as Sunderland lose |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-england-defoe-idUKKBN0KQ0QW20150117 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109222218/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-england-defoe-idUKKBN0KQ0QW20150117 |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 January 2016 |date=17 January 2015 |work=Reuters |access-date=17 January 2015 |first=Mike |last=Collett}} Defoe scored his first Sunderland goal on his home debut in a 2–0 victory over Burnley on 31 January 2015.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Louise |title=Sunderland sink Burnley as Jermain Defoe hits first goal for club |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/31/sunderland-burnley-premier-league-match-report |access-date=5 April 2015 |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=31 January 2015}} His second goal came the following week on 7 February 2015, where he scored the opening goal in a 1–1 draw away to Swansea City.{{cite news |title=Swansea 1–1 Sunderland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31071267 |website=BBC Sport}}

On 5 April, he scored the only goal in the Tyne–Wear derby victory over Newcastle with a 22-yard volley to end a sequence of eight matches without a win, and their first victory under the management of Dick Advocaat.{{cite news |title=Sunderland 1–0 Newcastle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32103959 |website=BBC Sport |first=Pete |last=Oliver |date=5 April 2015 |access-date=5 April 2015}} The emotion of scoring the goal caused him to cry.{{cite news |title=Jermain Defoe: Sunderland striker reduced to tears by vital goal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32191836 |access-date=5 April 2015 |website=BBC Sport |date=5 April 2015}} On 9 May, Defoe scored his fourth goal of the season in a 2–0 win against Everton at Goodison Park, a result which moved Sunderland out of the relegation zone and gave Everton their first home defeat of 2015.{{cite news |title=Everton 0–2 Sunderland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32561779 |access-date=9 May 2015 |website=BBC Sport |date=9 May 2015}}

On the opening day of the 2015–16 Premier League, Defoe scored in a 4–2 loss at Leicester City, meaning he had scored in 15 Premier League seasons.{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Aimee |title=Sunderland 4–2 Leicester |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33744669 |access-date=8 August 2015 |date=8 August 2015}} On 25 August, he scored a hat-trick in a 6–3 home win over Exeter City in the second round of the League Cup.{{cite news |title=Sunderland 6–3 Exeter |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33970039 |access-date=25 August 2015 |website=BBC Sport |date=25 August 2015}} Defoe then scored twice in Sunderland's opening match of 2016, a 3–1 defeat of Aston Villa on 2 January.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35180112 |title=Sunderland 3–1 Aston Villa |date=2 January 2016 |website=BBC Sport}} In the team's next league fixture, he scored a hat-trick against Swansea City in a 4–2 win at the Liberty Stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35239701 |title=Swansea 2–4 Sunderland |website=BBC Sport |first=Dafydd |last=Pritchard |date=13 January 2016 |access-date=3 May 2018}} On 6 February, Defoe scored an 89th-minute equaliser against Liverpool as Sunderland came from 2–0 down to draw the match.{{cite news |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |title=Jermain Defoe strikes in 89th minute for Sunderland to draw with Liverpool |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/06/liverpool-sunderland-premier-league-match-report |access-date=11 February 2016 |date=6 February 2016}} On 16 March, Defoe opened the scoring away to Newcastle as the Tyne–Wear derby was drawn 1–1.{{cite news |last=Dawkes |first=Phil |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35796804 |title=Newcastle United 1–1 Sunderland |website=BBC Sport |date=20 March 2016 |access-date=24 September 2016}}

On 16 April 2016, Defoe scored Sunderland's second goal in a crucial 3–0 away victory over fellow strugglers Norwich, which left Sunderland one point from safety.{{cite news |last=Henson |first=Mike |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36003811 |title=Norwich City 0–3 Sunderland |website=BBC Sport |date=16 April 2016 |access-date=24 September 2016}} On 7 May 2016, Defoe scored the winning goal against Chelsea,{{cite news |last=Bevan |first=Chris |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36176565 |title=Sunderland 3–2 Chelsea |website=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2016 |access-date=24 September 2016}} moving Sunderland out of the bottom three, and taking his Premier League tally to 15 for the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/top-scorers |title=Top Scorers – Premier League – Football |website=BBC Sport |access-date=24 September 2016}} Defoe was part of the Sunderland squad on the matchday when they secured their Premier League status with a 3–0 home win over Everton on 11 May 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35733486 |title=Sunderland 3–0 Everton |website=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=Dawkes |date=11 May 2016 |access-date=3 May 2018}}

Defoe ended the season as Sunderland's top scorer with 15 league goals, and was also named the club's player of the season.{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Young |url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-player-of-the-year-jermain-defoe-paolo-di-canio-has-been-key-to-my-long-success-1-7874894 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429105300/http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-player-of-the-year-jermain-defoe-paolo-di-canio-has-been-key-to-my-long-success-1-7874894 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 April 2016 |title=Sunderland Player of the Year Jermain Defoe: Paolo Di Canio has been key to my long success |newspaper=Sunderland Echo |date=26 April 2016 |access-date=24 September 2016 }} On 9 June, Defoe signed a new contract with Sunderland, committing his future to the club until 2019.{{cite news |last=Trehan |first=Dev |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/10308837/jermain-defoe-commits-his-future-to-sunderland-until-2019 |title=Jermain Defoe commits his future to Sunderland until 2019 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=24 September 2016}}

On 13 August 2016, the opening day of the 2016–17 Premier League, Defoe scored in a 2–1 loss at Manchester City, meaning he has now scored in 16 Premier League seasons.{{cite news |last=Osborne |first=Chris |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36994521 |title=Manchester City 2–1 Sunderland |website=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2016 |access-date=24 September 2016}} On 5 November 2016, Defoe scored the winning goal from the penalty spot as 10-man Sunderland came from behind to win at Bournemouth, their first league win of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37808235 |title=Bournemouth 1–2 Sunderland |date=5 November 2016 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=16 March 2017}} On 19 November 2016, Defoe scored his 150th Premier League goal in a 3–0 home win against Hull City, becoming the joint seventh highest goal scorer in Premier League history. On 2 January 2017, Defoe scored twice from the penalty spot as Sunderland came from behind to draw at home to Liverpool.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38433522 |title=Sunderland 2–2 Liverpool |date=2 January 2017 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=16 March 2017}}

In January 2017, with Sunderland lying in the relegation zone, Defoe was linked with a return to former club West Ham United. However, Sunderland rejected a bid in the region of £6 million, with manager David Moyes describing Defoe as "priceless". On 4 February 2017, Defoe scored twice in first half stoppage time in a 4–0 away victory at Crystal Palace to move on to 14 league goals for the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38779236 |title=Crystal Palace 0–4 Sunderland |date=4 February 2017 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=16 March 2017}}

File:Defoe 2017.jpg in 2017]]

In April 2017, Defoe hinted that he may leave Sunderland, if the club were to be relegated at the end of the 2016–17 Premier League.{{cite news |url=http://www.eatsleepsport.com/sunderland/defoe-drops-sunderland-exit-hint-2266594.html |title=Defoe drops Sunderland exit hints |website=EatSleepSport |date=21 April 2017 |access-date=30 April 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was linked with a possible transfer to Newcastle United,{{cite news |url=http://futnsoccer.com/2017/04/30/pundit-believes-sunderland-star-is-keen-on-newcastle-united-move/ |title=Pundit believes Sunderland star is keen on Newcastle United move |date=30 April 2017 |access-date=30 April 2017 |website=FutnSoccer}} and potential returns to former clubs Bournemouth{{cite news |url=http://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2017/4/18/15338296/defoe-linked-with-bournemouth-move-former-sunderland-midfielder-retires-lens-to-Napoli |title=Defoe linked with Bournemouth move; Former Sunderland midfielder retires; Lens to Napoli? |date=18 April 2017 |access-date=30 April 2017 |website=Roker Report |publisher=Vox Media}} and West Ham United.{{cite web |url=https://www.footballfancast.com/social-media/twitter/west-ham-fans-are-desperate-to-sign-jermaine-defoe |title='Come home!' – West Ham fans desperate for big return following dramatic collapse |date=30 April 2017 |access-date=30 April 2017 |website=Football FanCast}} Sunderland's relegation was confirmed later that month.{{Cite web |url=http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/04/29/relegated-sunderland-obviously-distraught-moyes-wants-to-stay/ |title=Relegated Sunderland 'obviously distraught'; Moyes wants to stay |last=Mendola |first=Nicholas |date=29 April 2017 |website=ProSoccerTalk |access-date=13 May 2017}} On 23 June, it was confirmed that Defoe had signed a contract with Bournemouth on a free transfer, leaving Sunderland on 1 July.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11743/10890350/jermain-defoe-agrees-to-join-bournemouth-from-sunderland |title=Jermaine Defoe agrees to join Bournemouth from Sunderland |website=Sky Sports |date=23 June 2017}} He had previously played for the club in the 2000–01 season, on loan from West Ham United.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40051031 |title=Jermain Defoe: Sunderland striker rejoins Bournemouth on free transfer |website=BBC Sport |date=30 June 2017 |access-date=30 June 2017}}

On 16 September 2017, Defoe scored the winning goal and his first goal since his return to Bournemouth in a 2–1 home win against Brighton, providing the team with its first victory in the 2017–18 Premier League season, meaning he had scored in 17 different Premier League seasons.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/09/15/bournemouth-vs-brighton-hove-albion-premier-league-live-score1/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/09/15/bournemouth-vs-brighton-hove-albion-premier-league-live-score1/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Bournemouth 2 Brighton & Hove Albion 1: Jermain Defoe secures first win of the season |last=Wallace |first=Sam |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=15 September 2017 |access-date=17 September 2017}}{{cbignore}}

After making only eight appearances for Bournemouth in the 2018–19 season, Defoe joined Scottish Premiership club Rangers on 6 January 2019 on an 18-month loan,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46775600 |title=Rangers sign Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis in loan moves |website=BBC Sport |date=6 January 2019 |access-date=6 January 2019}} with two recall clauses inserted into the deal, which could have been activated in July 2019 or January 2020. On 23 January 2019, he scored a debut goal for Rangers against Kilmarnock, which meant he had scored a debut goal for 5 of his last 7 clubs.{{Cite web|url=https://talksport.com/football/480604/rangers-striker-jermain-defoe-scores-12th-minute-debut-goal-against-kilmarnock/|title=Defoe scores first goal for Rangers just 12 minutes into his debut|date=23 January 2019}} After scoring in a game on 27 September 2019 he was involved in a car accident.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49867289|title=Rangers: Jermain Defoe involved in traffic collision|date=29 September 2019|website=BBC Sport|access-date=16 November 2019}}

On 25 January 2020, it was announced that Defoe had signed a pre-contract agreement with Rangers, and would join the club permanently on a one-year deal, at the expiry of his Bournemouth contract in June 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11788/11917357/jermain-defoe-rangers-confirm-permanent-deal-with-bournemouth-for-striker|title=Jermain Defoe: Rangers confirm permanent deal with Bournemouth for striker|website=Sky Sports|language=en|access-date=2020-01-25}}

Defoe joined Rangers permanently in the summer transfer window of the 2020–21 season.{{Cite web|url=https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/jermain-defoe-signs-gers-contract/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215023032/https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/jermain-defoe-signs-gers-contract/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-15|title=Jermain Defoe Signs Gers Contract|date=2020-01-25|website=Rangers Football Club, Official Website|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-25}} He scored his 300th career club goal, against Livingston on 25 October 2020.{{Cite news|title=Defoe says he is ignoring league table|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54683259|access-date=2021-03-29}}

On 8 June 2021, Defoe signed a new one-year deal with Rangers to keep him at the club. As part of the contract, he will also become a coach at the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11788/12327897/jermain-defoe-signs-new-one-year-deal-at-rangers-to-become-player-coach|title=Jermain Defoe signs new one-year deal at Rangers to become player-coach|website=Sky Sports|date=8 June 2021|accessdate=8 June 2021}} On 15 November 2021, following the departure of manager, Steven Gerrard from Rangers to Aston Villa, Defoe was named as part of a four-man caretaker team responsible for leading the club during the pursuit of a new permanent head coach.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59289290|title=Defoe helps lead Rangers first team|work=BBC Sport }} On 12 January 2022, Defoe departed Rangers.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/jermain-defoe-departs-rangers/5xmJqU4ZEQKNhjKFom0ryT |title=Jermain Defoe departs Rangers |publisher=Rangers FC |date=12 January 2022 |accessdate=12 January 2022}}

On 31 January 2022, Defoe re-signed for Sunderland on a short-term deal until the end of the 2021–22 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60206661|title=Sunderland re-sign veteran Defoe|work=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2022 |accessdate=24 March 2022 }} On 24 March 2022 he announced his retirement from professional football.{{cite news |title=Jermain Defoe: Sunderland's ex-England, Tottenham & West Ham striker retires |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60860430 |access-date=24 March 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 March 2022}}

Defoe was capped by England at two youth levels, earning eight caps for the under-16s and seven caps for the under-18s.{{cite web |title=Jermain Defoe |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/D/Jermain-Defoe |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=14 November 2012 |archive-date=9 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109222216/http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/D/Jermain-Defoe |url-status=dead }} Defoe's form for Bournemouth in the 2000–01 season saw him selected for the England under-21 team to play Mexico in May 2001, and he marked his debut with the second goal as England U21s won 3–0.{{cite news |title=Injury-hit England thrive |website=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2001 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1344736.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} He went on to gain 23 caps for England at under-21 level,{{cite web |title=England U21 Caps, 1976–present |publisher=The Football Association |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/U21s/Players/Postings/2005/01/AllTime_Caps.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20050403221049/http://www.thefa.com/England/U21s/Players/Postings/2005/01/AllTime_Caps.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 April 2005 |access-date=18 August 2007}} scoring seven goals.{{cite web |title=England U21 Scorers, 1976–2005 |publisher=The Football Association |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/U21s/Players/Postings/2005/02/AllTime_Goalscorers.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20050406103353/http://www.thefa.com/England/U21s/Players/Postings/2005/02/AllTime_Goalscorers.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 April 2005 |access-date=18 August 2007}}

File:Defoe England.jpg in 2009]]

Defoe debuted for the senior England team in a 1–0 defeat to Sweden in March 2004, coming on as an early substitute for the injured Darius Vassell.{{cite news |title=Sweden 1–0 England |website=BBC Sport |date=31 March 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/england/3577473.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson singled out Defoe's display for praise in an otherwise poor performance by England, saying, "Jermain Defoe did very well – I liked what I saw. He showed that he can do very well even in international football and that he is technically very good. Jermain is quick and he knows where the goal is."{{cite news |title=Defoe delights Eriksson |website=BBC Sport |date=31 March 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/england/3586847.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} He was not however selected for the England squad to take part in UEFA Euro 2004.{{cite news |title=England squad confirmed |website=BBC Sport |date=2 June 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/england/3714245.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}}

He made his first start for England in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Poland in September 2004, scoring in a 2–1 win.{{cite news |title=Poland 1–2 England |website=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3631194.stm |date=8 September 2004 |access-date=24 September 2016}} Eriksson again paid tribute to Defoe, saying, "Jermain is a great talent. It couldn't have been much better for him. He did very well. He scored one goal and created other chances as well. He is a great player who will always score goals."{{cite news |title=Eriksson delight for Defoe |website=BBC Sport |date=8 September 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3636704.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}}

Despite appearing regularly for England in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches and friendly matches, Defoe was not named in the provisional England squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and named only on a five-man standby list.{{cite news |title=Walcott & Lennon in England squad |website=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/4983618.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} He joined the squad for training in Germany, but returned to England when Wayne Rooney was cleared to play after having suffered a foot injury in April.{{cite news |title=Defoe departs England Cup squad |website=BBC Sport |date=9 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5063198.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} He confessed that he was baffled by his omission, saying, "I've been involved in every squad for the last two years and feel I've played a part in helping us to qualify. I have never felt fitter and sharper than I was in training and believe I could have scored goals in the tournament. It's a strange decision and everybody I speak to thinks so as well."{{cite news |title=Defoe baffled by England omission |website=BBC Sport |date=11 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5068640.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} Eriksson explained why Defoe was not selected for the England squad: "Jermain had a very bad season. I don't think he deserved to go to the World Cup."{{cite news |title=Eriksson defends Defoe exclusion |website=BBC Sport |date=12 November 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6140930.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}}

Steve McClaren, who took over as England manager after the FIFA World Cup, selected Defoe for England in his first match, a friendly against Greece in August 2006.{{cite news |title=England 4–0 Greece |website=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4794867.stm |access-date=18 August 2007}} Defoe continued to be selected and to appear for England in UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying matches and friendly matches.

Defoe was initially omitted from Fabio Capello's first squad with the new manager insisting he would only select players who were playing regular club football. One day after scoring on his Portsmouth debut, Defoe was recalled to the England squad to replace the injured Gabriel Agbonlahor.{{cite news |title=Wright-Phillips fit for England |website=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7225317.stm |access-date=5 February 2008}} Defoe took his international goals tally up to five in the Caribbean on 1 June 2008 when he scored twice against Trinidad and Tobago and in the process staking a claim for a more regular place in the international team.{{cite news |title=Jermain Defoe bangs drum for permanent role with deadly double |newspaper=The Times |date=2 June 2008 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article4045972.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013082640/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article4045972.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 October 2008 |access-date=2 June 2008 |location=London |first=Martin |last=Samuel}}

Defoe scored his first competitive international goal of 2008 with the final goal in England's 5–1 win over Kazakhstan on 11 October 2008 after coming on as a late substitute for Wayne Rooney.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7656615.stm |title=England 5–1 Kazakhstan |website=BBC Sport |first=Jonathan |last=Stevenson |date=11 October 2009 |access-date=3 May 2018}} He also scored two goals in three minutes against Andorra in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier.{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=England 6–0 Andorra |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8087976.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=10 June 2009 |access-date=24 September 2016}}

His 2009–10 season got off to the perfect start as he came from the bench to score both goals in the 2–2 draw against the Netherlands at the Amsterdam Arena on 12 August 2009 and was announced as man of the match.{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Netherlands 2–2 England |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8194165.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2009 |access-date=24 September 2016}}

On 23 June 2010, he scored the only goal in England's third group stage match against Slovenia in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Slovenia 0–1 England |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_37/default.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=23 June 2010 |access-date=24 September 2016}} This goal gave England the win they needed to progress into the Round of 16.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264047&cc=5739&ver=global |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729014827/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264047&cc=5739&ver=global |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2012 |title=Defoe seals progress |date=23 June 2009 |website=ESPN Soccernet |access-date=23 June 2010}}

File:Adil Rami - Jermain Defoe 20120611.jpg]]

Defoe opened up the scoring for England's UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign against Bulgaria, volleying home from the six-yard box after a cross from Ashley Cole, whose initial effort was saved by the Bulgarian goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov. Defoe went on to score his first international hat-trick, which was the first ever at the new Wembley.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/sep/03/england-bulgaria-euro-2012 |title=Jermain Defoe hat-trick gives England a fresh start |date=3 September 2010 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=3 September 2010 |location=London |first=Kevin |last=McCarra}} Defoe was called up to the England squad to face Wales on 26 March 2011, though he served as an unused substitute.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9436089.stm |title=Wales 0–2 England |website=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=McNulty |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=3 May 2018}} Defoe was named as a member of the England squad for UEFA Euro 2012.{{cite news |title=England Euro 2012 squad: Ruddy, Carroll & Defoe in, Ferdinand out |website=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/18081125 |access-date=27 March 2017}}

Defoe did not play for the full 90 minutes in any of his England appearances until 11 September 2012 where he played the entire match against Ukraine.{{Cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/england-vs-ukraine/teams/253480 |title=England 1–1 Ukraine |website=Sky Sports |date=11 September 2012 |access-date=3 May 2018}}

Defoe started England's first 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, a 5–0 away win against Moldova and scored his 17th goal for England, tying him with David Beckham.{{cite news |last=Winter |first=Henry |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9529017/Moldova-0-England-5-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9529017/Moldova-0-England-5-match-report.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Moldova 0 England 5: match report |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=7 September 2012 |access-date=27 March 2017}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/9714280/David-Beckham-would-be-welcome-at-Tottenham-says-Jermain-Defoe.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/9714280/David-Beckham-would-be-welcome-at-Tottenham-says-Jermain-Defoe.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=David Beckham would be welcome at Tottenham, says Jermain Defoe |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=30 November 2012 |access-date=27 March 2017}}{{cbignore}}

Defoe was not included in the 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news |last=Zwolinski |first=Mark |title=Toronto FC's Jermain Defoe vows to prove Roy Hodgson wrong |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/tfc/2014/05/16/toronto_fcs_jermain_defoe_vows_to_prove_roy_hodgson_wrong.html |access-date=17 May 2014 |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=16 May 2014}} Defoe believes that he "likely won't ever get over the decision", and stated, "I don't think I'll ever be at peace with it." However, he was named as one of seven players on "standby".

Defoe's form in the 2015–16 season, where he helped Sunderland avoid relegation with 15 goals, led to calls for him to be included in the England squad for UEFA Euro 2016. He was not, however, named in manager Roy Hodgson's 26-man preliminary squad, and expressed his disappointment at his omission.{{cite news |last=Dodds |first=Brian |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11695/10284868/jermain-defoe-disappointed-at-england-euro-squad-snub |title=Jermain Defoe disappointed at England Euro squad snub |date=16 May 2016 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=24 September 2016}}

After over three years away from international football, Defoe was recalled to the England squad in March 2017 by manager Gareth Southgate for a friendly match against Germany and a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Lithuania.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39291266 |title=Jermain Defoe: England recall Sunderland striker aged 34 |date=16 March 2017 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=16 March 2017}} On 26 March, Defoe returned to the first team, against Lithuania. Ahead of captain, Joe Hart, Defoe led the team onto the pitch with terminally ill child, Bradley Lowery, a Sunderland supporter who suffered from neuroblastoma. England won the match 2–0 with Defoe scoring the first goal.{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/bradley-lowery-jermain-defoe-england-wembley_uk_58d80d63e4b02a2eaab50168 |title=Brilliant Pictures of Bradley Lowery Leading Out England With Jermain Defoe |date=26 March 2017 |website=The Huffington Post |access-date=27 March 2017}}

In a 2018 interview with Sky Sports, Defoe spoke about the influence of former Arsenal striker Ian Wright on his career, which included being inspired by his goal celebrations. He explained that his own favourite celebration is outstretching both arms straight, before stating when scoring a goal "you just want to go mad".{{cite news |title=Defoe's celebrations inspirations |url=https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11488673/defoes-celebration-inspirations |access-date=19 October 2018 |agency=Sky Sports}}

On 12 August 2022, Defoe returned to Tottenham Hotspur as club ambassador and an academy coach.{{cite web |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2022/august/jermain-defoe-returns// |title=Jermain Defoe returns |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |date= 12 August 2022| access-date=16 September 2022}} Appointed as coach of the under-18's, Defoe said he aims to inspire more black coaches and managers.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64900159 | title=Defoe wants to inspire more black coaches | work=BBC Sport }} He left the role in July 2024 to concentrate on a managerial career.{{cite web | last=Gorrie | first=Jonathan | title=Jermain Defoe confirms Tottenham exit ahead of next career move | website=Evening Standard | date=17 July 2024 | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/defoe-tottenham-news-2024-b1171183.html | access-date=18 July 2024}}

Defoe is a practising Roman Catholic.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2348709/A-sinner-or-saint-Defoe-keeps-us-all-guessing.html |title=A sinner or saint, Defoe keeps us all guessing |website=BBC Sport |date=24 October 2006 |access-date=3 January 2019}} In 2017 he adopted a vegan diet in order to prolong his football career.{{cite web |last1=Fifield |first1=Dominic |title=England goalscorer Jermain Defoe says vegan diet and discipline paying off |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/27/jermain-defoe-england-striker-lithuania |website=The Guardian |access-date=6 October 2019 |date=27 March 2017}} He is teetotal.{{cite web |last1=Mellor |first1=Jason |title=Jermain Defoe reveals the lengths he goes to remain teetotal in effort to prolong career after his father's death |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/jermain-defoe-teetotal-drink-career-father-death-bubblegum-white-wine-a7439791.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/jermain-defoe-teetotal-drink-career-father-death-bubblegum-white-wine-a7439791.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The Independent |access-date=5 October 2019 |date=26 November 2016}}

On 24 April 2009, his 26-year-old half-brother, Jade Defoe, died of head injuries following an assault in Leytonstone, London.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8018192.stm |title=Brother of Jermain Defoe killed |date=25 April 2009 |access-date=25 April 2009 |website=BBC Sport}} On 7 June 2012, his father, Jimmy Defoe, died after a long battle with throat cancer.{{cite news |title=Jermain Defoe absence following father's death depletes England attack |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/jermain-defoe-absence-following-fathers-death-depletes-england-attack-7827869.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/jermain-defoe-absence-following-fathers-death-depletes-england-attack-7827869.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |access-date=19 January 2015 |date=8 June 2012 |first=Sam |last=Wallace}} Defoe was with the England squad ahead of UEFA Euro 2012 at the time, and returned home from Poland upon receiving the news, but rejoined the squad on 9 June, two days before the opening match{{cite web |title=2012 Euro – England striker Jermain Defoe back with team after father's death |url=http://www.espnfc.com/european-championship/story/1093589/2012-euro----england-striker-jermain-defoe-back-with-team-after-fathers-death |date=9 June 2012 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=19 January 2015}} and played against France as a 77th-minute substitute.{{cite news |title=Euro 2012: France 1–1 England |website=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=McNulty |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/18076341 |access-date=19 January 2015 |date=11 June 2012}}

Whilst playing for Sunderland, Defoe befriended Bradley Lowery, a terminally-ill six-year-old fan with neuroblastoma, describing their relationship as the "highlight of his season".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40524081 |title=Jermain Defoe: Bradley Lowery will always be in my heart – Bournemouth striker |date=6 July 2017 |website=BBC News |access-date=6 July 2017}} Lowery was named 'Child of Courage' at the Pride of North East Awards in May 2017; Defoe attended the award ceremony, saying, "As a person he has changed me because of what he's going through at such a young age".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-tyne-39973584/bradley-lowery-named-child-of-courage-at-award-ceremony |title=Bradley Lowery named Child of Courage at award ceremony |date=19 May 2017 |website=BBC News |access-date=6 July 2017}} Lowery died on 7 July 2017, at the age of 6.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39883344 |title=Bradley Lowery: Sunderland fan dies after long illness |date=7 July 2017 |website=BBC News |access-date=7 July 2017}}

Defoe was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2018 Birthday Honours for services to the Jermain Defoe Foundation,{{London Gazette |issue=62310 |supp=y |page=B11 |date=9 June 2018}} a charitable foundation he founded in 2013.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44417369 |title=Queen's Birthday Honours: Kenny Dalglish knighted, Anthony Joshua becomes OBE |website=BBC Sport |date=8 June 2018 |access-date=9 June 2018}}

{{notelist}}

:Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Defoe goal.{{cite web |url=https://englandstats.com/player.php?pid=1131 |title=Player info: Jermain Defoe |website=Englandstats.com |publisher=Davey Naylor |access-date=28 March 2020}}

Tottenham Hotspur

• Football League Cup: 2007–08

Rangers

• Scottish Premiership: 2020–21{{cite news |title=Rangers top-flight champions for first time since 2011 after Celtic drop points |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56306235|work=BBC Sport|date=7 March 2021|access-date=7 March 2021}}
• Scottish League Cup runner-up: 2019–20{{cite web |url=https://www.afcb.co.uk/news/club-news/defoe-wins-runners-up-medal-in-cup/ |title=Defoe wins runners-up medal in cup |work=Bournmounth F.C. |date=9 December 2019 |access-date=9 December 2019}}

Individual

• Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year: 2004{{cite news |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/jermain-is-members-clubltbrgtplayer-of-the-year-2004-281204/ |title=Jermain is members club Player of the Year |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |date=28 December 2004}}
• Premier League Player of the Month: August 2009{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1526/Jermain-Defoe/overview |title=Jermain Defoe: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=28 September 2018}}
• Sunderland Supporters' Player of the Year: 2015–16{{cite news |title=Jermain Defoe picks up another player of the year award for Sunderland |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jermain-defoe-picks-up-another-11500520 |newspaper=Teesside Gazette |location=Middlesbrough}}
• Sunderland Player of the Year: 2015–16
• North-East FWA Player of the Year: 2016{{cite web|url=https://footballwriters.co.uk/editorial/saint-maximin-voted-north-east-fwa-player-of-the-year/|title=Saint-Maximin voted North-East FWA Player of the Year|website=footballwriters.co.uk|date=13 January 2022|accessdate=30 August 2022}}

Orders

• Officer of the Order of the British Empire: 2018

• List of footballers in England by number of league appearances (500+)

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