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Harry Kane

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Harry Edward Kane (born 28 July 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and captains the England national team. Regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, he is Tottenham Hotspur's all-time top goalscorer (280), England's all-time top goalscorer (76), and the highest-scoring English player in the UEFA Champions League (44). He is also the Premier League's second-highest all-time goalscorer (213).

Key Information

Beginning his senior career with Tottenham Hotspur in 2009, Kane had loan spells out to clubs across the English football pyramid, including Leyton Orient, Millwall, Leicester City, and Norwich City. Kane's involvement at Tottenham increased after Mauricio Pochettino became head coach in 2014, being named PFA Young Player of the Year in the 2014–15 season. In the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons, Kane finished as the league's top goalscorer. In the latter campaign, he helped Tottenham finish as Premier League runners-up and was named PFA Fans' Player of the Year. In the 2018–19 season, Kane finished as Champions League runner-up and ended the 2020–21 season as the Premier League's top goalscorer (23) and top assist provider (14). In 2023, Kane became the most expensive signing in Bundesliga history as he joined Bayern Munich in a transfer worth €110 million. In his debut season, he scored 36 league goals, winning the European Golden Shoe, and in the following season, he earned his first major trophy, winning the Bundesliga.

Kane has scored 76 goals in 110 appearances for England, making him their all-time top goalscorer. He appeared more than 30 times at youth international level and made a goalscoring debut with the senior team in March 2015, at age 21. Kane featured and scored during England's successful UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, and represented the country at the tournament. He was named England captain just before the 2018 FIFA World Cup, in which he finished as the competition's top goalscorer, winning the Golden Boot, leading England to fourth place, their highest finish since 1990. He led England to the runner-up position at UEFA Euro 2020, marking their first appearance in the final at the tournament and their first major final since 1966. At Euro 2024, Kane finished as the tournament's joint-top scorer as he again captained England to the final.

Early life

[edit]

Harry Edward Kane[2] was born on 28 July 1993[3] at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, London,[4] to Kim (née Hogg) and Patrick Kane and has one older brother, Charlie.[5][6][7] He has Irish ancestry through his father, who was born in Galway.[8][9] The family lived in Walthamstow before they moved to Chingford.[10] Kane attended Larkswood Primary Academy until 2004,[11][12] followed by Chingford Foundation School (also attended by David Beckham).[13] He played football from a young age, joining a local club in Walthamstow, Ridgeway Rovers, when he was six in 1999.[14] Kane talked about footballing in the family:

I think the sporting genes come from my Mum's side of the family although the topic is a hot debate in the Kane household. Dad probably won't like me saying that, but I think my granddad Eric on my Mum's side was quite a good footballer, and played at a decent level.[15]

Kane also said: "Most of my family were Spurs fans and I grew up 15 minutes from the ground, so I was always going to be a Spurs fan".[15] He named former Spurs striker Teddy Sheringham his childhood idol, and saw him as a "great finisher" and a role model in his ability to get in the box and score goals.[16] Other childhood sporting influences he cited include David Beckham and Jermain Defoe.[17] Kane has also spoken of his admiration for the former Brazil forward Ronaldo, adding that he loved to watch footage of him on YouTube: "He was one of the first ones I looked at and thought, 'Wow. He's a goalscorer, I want to be a goalscorer.'"[18]

Club career

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Tottenham Hotspur

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2004–2010: Youth career

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Kane first played for a local club, Ridgeway Rovers, in 1999 when he was six,[19] and joined the Arsenal youth academy when he was eight years old. He was released after one season for being "a bit chubby" and not "very athletic", according to Liam Brady who was then in charge of Arsenal's academy.[20] Manager Arsène Wenger stated in November 2015 that he was disappointed that Arsenal chose to release Kane.[21] He also had a trial at Tottenham Hotspur but was not initially successful,[22] and he returned to his old club Ridgeway Rovers. In 2004, at the age of eleven, he joined Watford academy for a four- to six-week trial, and was then given another chance at Tottenham after he impressed playing for Watford against Tottenham.[23][24] He first played at Tottenham as a midfielder – initially in a holding position, then as an attacking midfielder.[25]

In his early days at Tottenham, Kane did not stand out as a player as he was neither big nor was he particularly quick, but those who worked with him noted his constant desire to improve various aspects of his game.[6] A couple of years after joining, he had a large growth spurt that made him taller and physically stronger.[26] In the 2008–09 season, he played in the under-16s side that competed in the Copa Chivas tournament in Mexico, and the Bellinzona tournament in Switzerland, scoring three goals.[27] In July 2009, on his 16th birthday, he signed a scholarship contract with Tottenham.[25]

In the 2009–10 season, Kane played 22 times for Tottenham's under-18s, scoring 18 goals.[28] Kane appeared on the first-team bench twice during the 2009–10 season.[29] Both matches were in home domestic cup victories: one the League Cup fixture against Everton on 27 October 2009[30] and the other in the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Bolton Wanderers on 24 February 2010.[31]

2010–2014: Loan spells across England

[edit]

Kane signed his first professional contract with Tottenham in July 2010.[32] The then U-21 coach Tim Sherwood believed that Kane could benefit from a loan spell,[33] and on 7 January 2011, Kane moved to Leyton Orient on loan until the end of the 2010–11 season.[34] Manager Russell Slade was "happy" at his arrival and said, "I'm sure he will have an impact with us over the coming months".[35] He made his first-team debut for Orient on 15 January, coming on as a substitute for Scott McGleish in the 73rd minute of a 1–1 draw away to Rochdale.[36] A week later, Kane scored his first first-team goal against Sheffield Wednesday; making his first-ever start, an "unmarked" Kane scored from a Dean Cox free kick in the 57th minute as Orient eventually won 4–0.[37][38] Slade said that he was "delighted" that Kane scored a goal on his first league start.[35] On 12 February, he scored twice in a 4–1 win over Bristol Rovers, after coming on as a substitute for McGleish in the 70th minute.[39] He ended the season scoring five goals in 18 matches.[40]

On 25 August 2011, Kane made his first appearance for Tottenham, starting in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League qualification round against Hearts, with Tottenham making changes after winning the first leg 5–0. His debut was a goalless match, although he won a penalty after being fouled by goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald, who then saved the penalty which Kane took himself.[41] He went on to make six appearances in the Europa League that season, scoring his first Tottenham goal in the 4–0 win away to Shamrock Rovers on 15 December 2011.[42]

On 29 December 2011, Kane and Tottenham teammate Ryan Mason agreed to join Championship club Millwall on loan from 1 January 2012 until the end of the season.[43] After making his debut against Bristol City, manager Kenny Jackett said that he had "very good debut" but was "unlucky not to score". He also said that Kane would "be a good addition" for the club in the second half of the season. He went on to score seven goals in the final 14 matches of the season.[35] Kane scored nine goals in 27 matches which resulted in him being named Millwall's Young Player of the Year for 2011–12.[44] His run of goals scored towards the end of the season has been credited with helping to raise Millwall in the table away from the threat of relegation that season.[45]

Kane spent the 2012–13 preseason with Tottenham, scoring a hat-trick in a 6–0 away win against Southend United on 10 August 2012.[46] On 18 August, he made his Premier League debut, against Newcastle United.[47] Coming as an 86th-minute substitute for Sandro, Tottenham lost 2–1.[35]

On 31 August 2012, Kane joined Premier League team Norwich City on a season-long loan,[48] making his debut as a substitute against West Ham United.[49] Kane suffered an injury, breaking a metatarsal bone, in the League Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers in only his second appearance.[50] The 19-year-old underwent his rehabilitation at Tottenham but returned to action for Norwich on 29 December 2012, coming off the bench at half time as Norwich lost 3–4 to Manchester City.[51] However, with Tottenham having been unable to add to their attacking options during the January transfer window, they opted to recall Kane on 1 February 2013, four months before he was due to return.[52]

Twenty days after he was recalled to Tottenham, Kane joined Leicester City for the remainder of the season to aid in the club's push for automatic promotion from the Championship.[53] He marked his home debut with a goal against Blackburn Rovers, in a 3–0 win on 26 February 2013.[54] He made 13 appearances for the East Midlands club, eight from the bench, and they reached the play-off semi-final before being eliminated by Watford.[55]

Kane scored his first Tottenham goal of the 2013–14 season at White Hart Lane in a League Cup tie against Hull City, scoring the equaliser in extra time, the match finished 2–2.[56] Tottenham won 8–7 on penalties, with Kane taking and converting the fifth of the nine sets of spot-kicks.[56]

On 7 April 2014, Kane was given his first Premier League start for Tottenham by manager Tim Sherwood, in a 5–1 win against Sunderland, and scored his first Premier League goal in the 59th minute.[57] He also scored in the following match, helping Tottenham to recover from a 3–0 deficit against West Bromwich Albion before eventually drawing 3–3.[58] He scored for the third match in a row on 19 April, this time helping Tottenham to a 3–1 London derby win at home over Fulham.[59]

2014–2015: PFA Young Player of the Year

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Kane (left) playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2015

Kane made his first appearance of the 2014–15 season as a substitute against West Ham on the opening day of the Premier League season, providing an assist for the match-winning goal by Eric Dier.[60] He scored in both matches against Cypriot opposition AEL Limassol in Tottenham's UEFA Europa League play-offs, scoring an 80th-minute winner in the first leg, and opening the scoring in the 3–0 second leg victory after missing a penalty.[61] He scored a late goal against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup to secure a 3–1 victory for Tottenham on 24 September 2014.[62] On 23 October 2014, Kane scored his first professional hat-trick for Tottenham in a 5–1 win over Asteras Tripoli in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.[63] Kane was forced to play in goal for the final three minutes, after Hugo Lloris had been sent off with no substitutions remaining, and conceded a goal when he dropped a free-kick from Jerónimo Barrales.[63]

On 2 November 2014, Kane came on as a second-half substitute in Tottenham's 2–1 win over Aston Villa and scored his first Premier League goal of the season to win the match in the 90th minute.[64] Manager Mauricio Pochettino, who was appointed to replace Sherwood and had a rocky start at the club, has since said that this goal saved him from the sack.[65] Henceforth, under Pochettino, Kane became a regular in Spurs' starting line-up. He was selected to start a week later for the first time in this Premier League season, and although the team lost 2–1 at home to Stoke City,[66] he retained his place in the first XI for Spurs' 2–1 win away to Hull City on 23 November, scoring the team's equalising goal.[67] Between 14 and 26 December, Kane scored in three consecutive 2–1 wins for Tottenham, against Swansea City,[68] Burnley[69] and Leicester City.[70] On 1 January 2015, Kane scored twice and won a penalty as Tottenham defeated rivals and league leaders Chelsea 5–3,[71] and he scored a further two in a 3–0 away win against West Bromwich Albion on 31 January, including one from a penalty.[72] Kane set up Christian Eriksen's late equaliser against Sheffield United on 28 January 2015, a goal which put Tottenham into the 2015 League Cup final.[73] His performances led to him being named as the Premier League Player of the Month for January 2015.[1]

On 2 February 2015, Kane signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with the club.[74] Five days later, he scored both of Tottenham's goals as they came from behind to defeat Arsenal in the North London derby, his 21st and 22nd goals of the season across all competitions.[75] After scoring against Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham United, Kane was again named as the Premier League Player of the Month for February 2015,[1] becoming only the fourth player to win the award in consecutive months.[76] Tottenham lost the League Cup final 2–0 to rivals Chelsea on 1 March 2015,[77] which Kane described as the "worst feeling in the world".[78] Twenty days later, he scored his first Premier League hat-trick in a 4–3 home win over his former loan club Leicester;[79] this brought him to 19 league goals in the season, making him the division's top scorer.[80]

On 5 April, Kane captained Tottenham for the first time in a 0–0 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor.[81] Two weeks later, he scored his 30th goal of the season in a 3–1 win against Newcastle United at St James' Park, making him the first Tottenham player to reach that milestone since Gary Lineker in 1991–92.[82] Later that month, he was included as one of two forwards in the PFA Team of the Year, alongside Chelsea's Diego Costa.[83] He was also voted the PFA Young Player of the Year.[84] On 24 May 2015, he headed in an Eric Dier cross for the only goal of an away win over Everton on the final day of the season to confirm fifth place for Tottenham, thus qualifying them to the group stage of the following season's UEFA Europa League. It was his 21st goal of the league campaign, equalling a Premier League club record alongside Teddy Sheringham, Jürgen Klinsmann and Gareth Bale.[85] At the end of the season, Kane remarked that he had done more in the single campaign than he had expected to do in his whole career.[86]

2015–2016: Premier League top goalscorer

[edit]
Kane playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2016

On Tottenham's pre-season tour of Australia, Kane attracted numerous fans while visiting the Westfield Sydney shopping centre, resulting in the club sending a minibus to escort him away.[86] On 29 July 2015, Tottenham were the guests in the 2015 MLS All-Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. They lost 2–1 to the MLS All-Stars, with Kane scoring their consolation goal in the 37th minute after beating a challenge from Omar Gonzalez, and he was later substituted in the 77th minute.[87]

Kane's squad number was changed from 18 to 10, previously worn by Emmanuel Adebayor. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, he said that he changed the number "to become a club legend".[88] With Adebayor and Roberto Soldado having been put up for sale, he began the season as the club's only forward, and the third-choice captain behind Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen.[86] After a 748-minute drought, he scored his first goal of the season on 26 September 2015 as Tottenham came from behind to defeat leaders Manchester City 4–1.[89] Eight days later, he scored an own goal from Jonjo Shelvey's corner kick away to Swansea City, but Tottenham fought back to a 2–2 draw.[90]

On 25 October 2015, Kane scored a hat-trick, including a penalty which he won himself, as Tottenham came from conceding a first-minute goal to triumph 5–1 away to AFC Bournemouth.[91] Eight days later, he recorded his fifth goal of the season with the final goal in a 3–1 win at home to Aston Villa.[92] On 8 November 2015, he gave Tottenham a half-time lead against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, albeit in a 1–1 draw;[93] this goal past Petr Čech was from his first touch of Danny Rose's long pass.[94]

Eighteen days after that, he recorded his ninth goal in six matches, the only one of an away match against Qarabağ, qualifying Tottenham to the knockout stages of the season's UEFA Europa League.[95] On 19 December 2015, Kane made his 100th appearance for the club in a 2–0 win away to Southampton, and scored his 10th goal in his last 10 matches.[96] A week later, he added two more in a 3–0 win over former loan employers Norwich, putting him on 27 Premier League goals for the year 2015, breaking Sheringham's club record.[97] On 10 January 2016, he scored his 50th goal for Tottenham in a 2–2 draw against Leicester in the third round of the FA Cup.[98]

Kane was Premier League Player of the Month for the third time in March 2016, after scoring five goals in four games, including an angled strike from the corner of the 18-yard box in the North London derby which Kane called "one of my best goals technically".[1][99] After scoring his 22nd league goal of the season in a 1–1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on 2 April, Kane became the club's highest goalscorer in a single Premier League season, with six games of the season remaining.[100]

Kane ended the season winning the Premier League Golden Boot, finishing one goal ahead of Sergio Agüero and Jamie Vardy with 25 goals.[101] He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the second consecutive season,[102] as he helped Tottenham to a third-place finish, and UEFA Champions League qualification.[103]

2016–2017: League runner-up and second Golden Boot

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Kane (centre) with his Tottenham Hotspur teammates in 2016

In the absence of Hugo Lloris, Kane captained Tottenham in their opening home match of the 2016–17 season, assisting Victor Wanyama's winning goal as Spurs beat Crystal Palace 1–0 in a London derby at White Hart Lane.[104] He opened his scoring account in the fourth matchday of the Premier League season, providing the final goal in a 4–0 win away to Stoke City.[105]

On 14 September 2016, Kane made his UEFA Champions League debut in Spurs' 2–1 loss to Monaco at Wembley Stadium.[106] Four days later, he scored the winning goal against Sunderland in the Premier League, but had to be helped off the field after twisting his right ankle attempting a tackle of Papy Djilobodji.[107] Reports indicated that the ligaments in Kane's ankle were damaged, ruling him out for six-to-eight weeks.[108] After missing five league matches and three in the Champions League group phase, Kane made his return at rivals Arsenal on 6 November, scoring from the penalty spot to equalise in a 1–1 draw.[109] On 22 November, he scored his first Champions League goal in the return fixture against Monaco at the Stade Louis II, a game which saw Spurs eliminated from the competition with a 2–1 loss.[110]

On 1 December 2016, Kane signed a new contract with Tottenham, keeping him at the club until 2022.[111] On 1 January 2017, he made his 100th Premier League appearance,[112] scoring the first Premier League goal of the new year against Watford in the 27th minute, which he extended to a brace after scoring again six minutes later.[113] In his first match after the birth of his daughter, Kane scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 win against West Brom on 14 January.[114] In the fifth round of the 2016–17 FA Cup on 19 February 2017, Kane scored all three goals as Tottenham beat Fulham 3–0. This meant his fifth career hat-trick, and his second in 2017.[115] On 26 February 2017, Kane once again scored a hat-trick as Tottenham beat Stoke 4–0, his third hat-trick in nine games, and his second in consecutive domestic games.[116] The first of these goals was his 100th in club football.[117] He was named Player of the Month for the fourth time in his career in February 2017.[1]

In March 2017, he injured his ankle in an FA Cup match against former loan club Millwall.[118] On 15 April, Kane scored his 20th Premier League goal of the season against Bournemouth on his first start in a month after returning from injury. This made him the fourth player in Premier League history to achieve 20 goals in three consecutive seasons, after Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy.[119]

On 20 April, Kane was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the third consecutive season.[120] He was also included in the six player shortlists for the PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards.[121][122] Two days later, he scored in Tottenham's 4–2 FA Cup semi-final loss to rivals Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.[123] In the last match at White Hart Lane on 14 May, Harry Kane scored the 2–0 goal as Tottenham beat Manchester United 2–1.[124] With two games remaining of the season, Kane stood on 22 goals, two fewer than Romelu Lukaku. With a combined seven goals in the last two fixtures (a 6–1 win over reigning champions Leicester City[125] and a 7–1 win against Hull City[126]), Kane finished as the top scorer of the Premier League on 29 goals, and thus won his second consecutive Golden Boot, becoming only the fifth player to do so.[127]

2017–2018: Record breaking year

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Kane playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2017

After failing to find the back of the net in Tottenham's first three games, Kane scored a brace in three of his next four appearances for the club across all competitions.[128][129][130] His opening goal against Everton on 9 September was his 100th overall for the club, coming in his 169th appearance.[131] On 26 September, Kane scored his first UEFA Champions League hat-trick in a 3–0 group stage win against Cypriot champions APOEL.[132] He was awarded Premier League Player of the Month for the fifth time, and named September 2017 – in which he scored 13 goals in 10 club and international games – as the best month of his career.[133]

On 23 December 2017, Kane equalled Alan Shearer's record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year, having scored a hat-trick in a 0–3 away win to Burnley.[134] He surpassed Shearer's record the following game with another hat-trick in the 5–2 home win against Southampton, ending the year with 39 Premier League goals.[135] The hat-trick, his sixth of the year in the Premier League (eighth in all competitions), also made him the first player in Premier League history to score six hat-tricks in a year.[136] With a total of 56 goals scored in all competitions for the year, he also became Europe's top goalscorer of 2017, breaking the seven-year dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as Europe's top goalscorer in a calendar year.[137]

In January 2018, he scored twice in the 4–0 home win against Everton, and became Tottenham's top goalscorer in the Premier League era, breaking Teddy Sheringham's record of 97 Premier League goals for the club.[138] On 4 February, Kane scored an added-time penalty to equalise in a 2–2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield for his 100th Premier League goal; he achieved the century of league goals in 141 games, beaten only by Alan Shearer's 124.[139] He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the fourth consecutive season in April 2018, alongside fellow forwards Mohamed Salah and Sergio Agüero.[140] On 8 June, Kane signed a new contract to keep him at the club until 2024.[141]

2018–2019: UEFA Champions League runner-up

[edit]

Kane started the season opener against Newcastle United without scoring, before opening his account against Fulham the following weekend. In doing so he ended his hoodoo of failing to score a Premier League goal in the month of August.[142] He also scored for the first time at Old Trafford in the following game as Tottenham won 3–0 in what was only their third away win against Manchester United since 1992, as well as the biggest away win against the club in 46 years.[143][144] He scored the opening goal against Cardiff City on 1 January 2019, and with that goal, he became the first player to have scored a goal against every Premier League team he has faced.[145] On 13 January 2019, against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, Kane injured his ankle ligament late in the game, thereby missing crucial matches including the Champions League round of 16 home game.[146]

He returned to the first team squad on 23 February 2019, in a match against Burnley, and was immediately placed in the starting eleven. He scored the equalising goal in the 65th minute to tie the score 1–1, although the match ended a 2–1 defeat.[147] Kane scored the only goal in the Champions League round of 16 away tie against Borussia Dortmund to ensure a 4–0 win on aggregate and progress to the club's second quarter-final in the Champions League. The goal also made him the club's top goalscorer in European competitions with 24 goals scored.[148] During the first leg of the quarter-final in the Champions League on 9 April 2019 against Manchester City, he again suffered an ankle injury, which ended his season domestically in the Premier League.[149] He did, however, return for the Champions League final on 1 June, although his selection after his injury became a subject of debate as Tottenham lost 2–0 to Liverpool.[150][151]

2019–2020: Injury struggles

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Kane started Tottenham's first game of the 2019–20 season, scoring twice in a 3–1 home win against Aston Villa. Kane's first goal of the game was his first at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.[152] On 1 January 2020, in a 1–0 defeat to Southampton at St Mary's Stadium, Kane suffered a hamstring injury.[153] The damage to his hamstring required an operation which would see him out of action for a few months.[154] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in the suspension of League matches, he did not play any further matches until 19 June.[155] On 23 June, in his 200th Premier League appearance for Tottenham, he scored his first goal of 2020 against West Ham, sealing a 2–0 win.[156][157]

2020–2021: Third Golden Boot and Playmaker of the Season

[edit]
Kane playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2021

Kane scored his first goal of the season in the Europa League match against Lokomotiv Plovdiv, helping the team to win 2–1 after Plovdiv had two players sent off late in the second half.[158] His first league goal of the 2020–21 season came in the second league match following a spree of four goals which were all scored by Son Heung-min and assisted by Kane, giving Spurs a 5–2 win over Southampton. This is the first time in Premier League history a player has provided four assists to the same teammate in a match and Kane became just the sixth player in Premier League history to assist four goals in a single match, and the first English player to do so.[159]

Kane scored a hat-trick against Maccabi Haifa in the UEFA Europa League play-off round on 1 October, securing qualification for the group stage.[160] On 4 October, he scored a brace in a 6–1 away win against Manchester United, which is the biggest win for Tottenham at Old Trafford and their best result against United since a home win in 1932.[161][162] He scored his 200th goal for Tottenham in his 300th appearance for the club in the 3–1 win over Ludogorets Razgrad in the group stage of the Europa League.[163] Kane scored in Tottenham's 2–0 victory over rivals Arsenal making him the record highest goalscorer in the history of the North London Derby with 11 goals.[164] It was also Kane's 100th home goal for Tottenham in all competitions, and his 250th career goal for club and country.[165]

On 2 January 2021, Kane converted a penalty to open the scoring and later provided an assist during Tottenham's 3–0 home victory over Leeds United. This brought both Kane's goal and assist tally in the league to 10, making him the first player in Europe's top five leagues to reach double digits for goals and assists in the 2020–21 season.[166] On 7 March, he scored a brace against Crystal Palace in a 4–1 win; the last goal was assisted by Son Heung-min, and this, their 14th combined goal effort whereby one assisted another, set a record for the most goal combinations in a Premier League season.[167] On 23 May, he scored a goal in a 4–2 win over Leicester City, to reach his 23rd goal of the season and to win the third Golden Boot award in his career.[168] He also won the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award for most assists in a season, becoming the first player to win both the Golden Boot and Playmaker awards in the same season since the introduction of the playmakers' award in 2018.[169]

2021–2022: Desire to leave Tottenham

[edit]
Kane (10) playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2022

The 2021–22 season was preceded by a dispute over a desire by Kane to leave Tottenham, saying he had a gentlemen's agreement with chairman Daniel Levy that would allow him to leave in the summer.[170] The agreement was not honoured, and Levy rejected the interest expressed by Manchester City for Kane's services,[171][172] including a £127 million transfer bid.[173] Kane failed to turn up for pre-season training and did not play the first two games of the season.[174][175] He made his season bow on 22 August as a substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers – his first appearance since returning late for pre-season.[176] Kane announced his desire to stay at Tottenham on 25 August after the move to Manchester City failed to materialise, with Kane stating: "I will be staying at Tottenham this summer and will be 100 per cent focused on helping the team achieve success."[177] The following day Kane made his first appearance in the UEFA Europa Conference League, against Paços de Ferreira. He scored twice in a 3–0 win to secure the team's progress to the group stage.[178] On 30 September, in the second match of the group stage, he scored a hat-trick in 20 minutes against Mura after coming on as a substitute to win 5–1.[179] This was the first hat-trick ever scored in the Europa Conference League,[180] and made Kane the first player to score a hat-trick in all three current major UEFA club competitions (the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League).

On 17 October 2021, Kane scored his first Premier League goal of the season in a 3–2 away win against Newcastle United.[181] His second goal of the season came on 19 December, when he scored the opener in a 2–2 home draw against Liverpool.[182] On 19 February 2022, Kane scored twice, including a 95th-minute winner, in a thrilling 3–2[183] victory over Manchester City. This ended City's 15-game unbeaten streak in the league. On 26 February, Kane scored against Leeds United, and assisted Son; the assist was the 37th time Kane and Son had combined to score, setting a new record of goal-scoring partnerships in the Premier League.[184] On 16 March, Kane scored in a 2–0 win away at Brighton, bringing his Premier League away goal tally to 95, surpassing Wayne Rooney's record for most Premier League goals scored away from home.[185]

2022–2023: All-time Tottenham top goalscorer and final season

[edit]

Kane scored his first goal of the season in the London derby away at Chelsea, rescuing a point for Tottenham by scoring in the sixth minute of injury time to bring the score to 2–2.[186] This took his tally of Premier League goals scored for Tottenham to 184, equalling Sergio Agüero's record of most goals scored for a single Premier League club.[187] Kane broke the record the following game when he scored the only goal in the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, becoming the first player to score 185 goals in the Premier League for a single club.[188] On 5 February 2023, Tottenham stated that Kane had become their all-time top scorer, overtaking Jimmy Greaves with his 267th goal for Tottenham and 200th in the Premier League, in a 1–0 home victory against Manchester City.[189] This fact was disputed, however, as Tottenham do not count the two goals Greaves scored in the 1962 FA Charity Shield, which would put him on 268.[190][191][192] On 11 March 2023, Kane scored his 269th and 270th goals with a brace in a 3–1 victory against Nottingham Forest giving him the now undisputed record.[193] In 2023, he finished second to Erling Haaland, with 30 goals, becoming the first player to score 30 times in two separate 38-game Premier League seasons.[194]

Following the departure of Karim Benzema from Real Madrid on 6 June 2023, manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was interested in signing Kane, reportedly asked his board to initiate a possible transfer.[195][196] In late June 2023, Bayern Munich made an initial bid for Kane of £70 million with one year left in his contract, which was rejected.[197] In July, he was included in Tottenham's squad for their pre-season tour,[198] with Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeneß saying that there had been talks between the club and the player's advisors, stating that Kane had "clearly signalled in all conversations" that he wished to transfer to Bayern Munich.[199][200][201] On 6 August, Kane scored four goals as Tottenham beat Shakhtar Donetsk 5–1 in their penultimate pre-season friendly before the start of the Premier League.[202] On the next day, Tottenham rejected another bid from Bayern Munich,[203] for a reported fee of £86 million.[204] On 10 August, it was reported that Bayern Munich and Tottenham had agreed a deal in principle for Kane which was worth more than €100 million (£86.4m).[205] His departure was later confirmed by manager Ange Postecoglou via press conference.[206] The same day, it was reported that Kane was to undergo a medical at Bayern Munich after being given permission to travel to Germany by Tottenham.[207] On 12 August, Kane posted a farewell video on Instagram, thanking Tottenham staff and supporters for his time at the club.[208] Tottenham released an official statement shortly after thanking Kane for his service.[209] Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy also mentioned that Kane wanted a new challenge and decided not to sign a new contract with the club.[210]

Bayern Munich

[edit]

2023–2024: Debut season and first European Golden Shoe

[edit]

After Bayern Munich and Tottenham agreed on a deal on 10 August 2023, Kane agreed personal terms and flew to Munich the next day.[211] On 12 August, Bayern Munich announced the signing of Kane on a four-year contract.[212][213] Kane became the most expensive signing in Bundesliga history, costing €100m plus €10m bonuses in transfer fees, surpassing the €80m transfer fee paid by Bayern Munich for Lucas Hernandez in 2019.[214][215]

He made his debut for Bayern on the same day he joined the club, as a 64th-minute substitute in a 3–0 defeat to RB Leipzig in the 2023 DFL-Supercup.[216] He scored his first goal for the club on the opening day of the 2023–24 Bundesliga season, also providing the assist for Leroy Sané's early opener, as Bayern won 4–0 away to Werder Bremen.[217] On 27 August, Kane netted his first Bayern brace in a 3–1 home league victory against FC Augsburg.[218] On 15 September, Kane scored his 300th career club goal as Bayern's home league match against Bayer Leverkusen ended in a 2–2 draw.[219] On 20 September, he scored his first Champions League goal for Bayern on his European debut, converting a penalty in a 4–3 win over Manchester United.[220] On 23 September, Kane got his first hat-trick for Bayern as well as two assists in a 7–0 victory against VfL Bochum, taking his league goal tally to seven and setting a new club record for most goals by a player in his first five Bundesliga appearances.[221] The hat-trick was also his first domestic league triple since December 2017.[222] On 28 October, Kane scored a second-half hat-trick and got an assist in an 8–0 victory over Darmstadt 98, including a goal from inside his own half.[223]

On 4 November 2023, Kane scored his third and back-to-back hat-trick of the season on his Der Klassiker debut, which ended in a 4–0 away win against Borussia Dortmund.[224] With 20 goal participations and 15 goals in 10 games he broke three Bundesliga records, and matched Gerd Müller's record from the 1968–69 Bundesliga season.[225] Four days later, he netted a double in a 2–1 victory against Galatasaray, which secured his club's qualification to the Champions League knockout stages on top of their group.[226] With a brace against FC Heidenheim, he became the first player to score 17 goals after 11 games of a Bundesliga season.[227] With his 18th league goal in a victory over FC Köln on 24 November, he became the top scoring Englishman in a single season in Bundesliga history, surpassing Kevin Keegan and Jadon Sancho.[228]

With his 22nd league goal in a victory over TSG Hoffenheim on 12 January 2024, he matched Robert Lewandowski's record for most goals in the first half of the season.[229] On 3 February, he netted a goal in 3–1 victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach, matching Luca Toni's record of 24 goals for Bayern on his debut season in 2007–08,[230] and on 18 February, he surpassed that with a goal in a 3–2 loss to Bochum.[231] On 9 March, Kane achieved his fourth hat-trick of the regular season and first of the year in an 8–1 rout of Mainz 05. This performance made him the first debut player to score at least twice in eight different games.[232] On 16 March, Kane set a new personal best in league goalscoring during a match against Darmstadt 98, contributing one goal in a 5–2 victory, bringing his league total for the season to 31. This match also saw Kane breaking Uwe Seeler's record of 30 goals scored in a Bundesliga debut season.[233]

On 3 May 2024, Kane was announced as part of the Bundesliga Team of the Season,[234] marking his seventh official seasonal team award and first time spanning multiple leagues. His 36 goals in his debut Bundesliga season, earned him the European Golden Shoe, becoming the second English player to achieve this feat after Kevin Phillips.[235] In addition, he concluded the season as the Champions League top scorer with eight goals, along with Kylian Mbappé.[236] He was also named in the Team of the Season in that competition.[237]

2024–25: First major title and Bundesliga Player of the Season

[edit]
Kane with Bayern Munich in 2025

On 16 August 2024, Kane scored his first goal of the season in the first match of Bayern Munich's competitive campaign in a 4–0 DFB-Pokal victory over SSV Ulm 1846.[238] On 1 September, Kane scored his first regular season goal of the season when he converted penalty kick in a 2–0 victory over SC Freiburg.[239] On 14 September, Kane scored his first hat-trick of the campaign with the help of a penalty in a 6–1 victory over newly promoted Holstein Kiel, which also meant that he has scored at least one goal against every Bundesliga side he has faced.[240] Three days later, Kane recorded a second consecutive hat-trick when he netted four times past Dinamo Zagreb with the help of three penalties in a 9–2 victory in the first match of Bayern Munich's Champions League campaign.[241] With 33 goals, he became the highest-scoring Englishman in the Champions League, beating the previous record of 30 by Wayne Rooney.[242] On 21 September, Kane scored in a 5–0 win over Werder Bremen, overtaking Jadon Sancho to become the highest-scoring Englishman in the Bundesliga.[243] On 22 November, Kane scored a hat trick against FC Augsburg to become the fastest player to reach 50 goals in the Bundesliga. He scored 50 goals in 43 Bundesliga games, overtaking Erling Haaland's record of 50 in 50.[244] His next Bundesliga record was scoring 55 goals in 50 games after he netted twice against Holstein Kiel in a 4–3 win.[245][246]

On 4 May 2025, Kane won his first major honour, the 2024–25 Bundesliga title, where following a draw against RB Leipzig the previous day (Kane was unable to partake in that match due to a suspension because of an accumulation of yellow cards), Bayer Leverkusen could only manage a draw against SC Freiburg, mathematically crowning Bayern champions with two games to spare.[247] On 11 May, Kane lifted the first trophy of his career as Bayern Munich celebrated their Bundesliga title success. Kane finished the season as the top scorer for the second consecutive season and was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season recognising his continued outstanding performances with Bayern Munich.[248][249]

2025–26: Supercup title and 100 Bayern goals

[edit]

On 16 August 2025, Kane achieved his second career title, scoring a goal in a 2–1 victory over VfB Stuttgart in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup.[250] Six days later in the opening game of the 2025–26 Bundesliga season, he scored a second-half hat-trick against RB Leipzig.[251][252] In the league phase of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League, Kane scored twice against Chelsea to help win the game 3–1, and overtake David Beckham to became the Englishman with the most goals and assists combined in the Champions League,[253] and only the third player (after Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar) to have scored 20 or more goals for two different clubs in the Champions League.[254] On 26 September, Kane scored twice in a 4–0 victory over Werder Bremen, and became the fastest player to reach 100 goals for any club in one of Europe's top 5 leagues in the 21st century, having done so in 104 games, beating the previous record reached in 105 games by Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland.[255] A month later, on 18 October, he scored his 400th career club goal in a 2–1 victory over Borussia Dortmund.[256]

International career

[edit]

2010–2015: Youth level

[edit]
Kane warming up for England U19 at the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship

In January 2010, Kane was called up to play for the England under-17 team for the Algarve Tournament in Portugal.[257] Kane missed the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Championship due to illness, with England going on to win the tournament in his absence.[258] He scored two goals in six appearances in total at under-17 level.[259] He later moved up to the under-19s and scored twice in a 6–1 victory over Albania on 8 October 2010.[260] Kane played a large role in the England under-19s progression to the semi-finals of the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Estonia. Kane scored the winner against France in the final group stage match to ensure the team a safe passage through to the semi-finals.[261] In total, Kane appeared 14 times for the England under-19 team and contributed six goals during that period.[262]

On 28 May 2013, he was named in manager Peter Taylor's 21-man squad for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[263] He made his debut on 23 June in the opening group-stage match, a 2–2 draw against Iraq, in which he assisted Luke Williams' goal.[264] Kane then scored in the following match against Chile, collecting a pass after work by Ross Barkley and shooting from the edge of the penalty area.[265] On 13 August, Kane made his debut for the under-21s against Scotland.[266] In that match, he came on as a substitute in the 58th minute, and England won 6–0.[267] On 10 October, he scored a hat-trick for England against San Marino in 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification.[268]

Kane was named in the England under-21 squad for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic, despite opposition from his club manager Mauricio Pochettino.[269] He played every minute of England's campaign at the tournament, which ended with them eliminated in last place in their group.[270][271][272]

2015–2018: Senior debut and first major tournaments

[edit]
Kane (in white) playing for England against France in 2015

Kane was also eligible for the Republic of Ireland through his father, who was born in Galway,[9] but in August 2014 he ruled out switching allegiance, saying that he wanted to break into the England senior team.[273]

After a good run of form with Tottenham and being the third top goalscorer in the Premier League with 16 goals, on 19 March 2015, Kane was named by manager Roy Hodgson in the England squad to face Lithuania in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match and Italy in a friendly.[274] He made his international debut at Wembley Stadium, replacing Wayne Rooney in the second half against Lithuania, and scored just 80 seconds later with a header from a Raheem Sterling cross.[275] On 30 March 2015, the day before the Italy match, Hodgson announced that Kane would start alongside Rooney,[276] and he played the full 90 minutes of the 1–1 draw at Juventus Stadium.[277]

In his next appearance on 5 September 2015, substitute Kane scored the fifth of England's six goals in a win over San Marino which qualified them for UEFA Euro 2016.[278] Kane scored his third England goal against Switzerland in another qualifier three days later, which they won 2–0.[279] On 12 October, as England finished their qualification campaign with a tenth win from ten matches, Kane's shot hit the post for an own goal by Lithuanian goalkeeper Giedrius Arlauskis in a 3–0 away victory.[280]

On 22 May 2016, Kane opened the scoring in a 2–1 friendly win over Turkey at the City of Manchester Stadium, but later missed a penalty. He was the first England player to fail to score from the penalty spot during a game since Frank Lampard in 2010, and the first to miss the target since Peter Crouch in 2006.[281] At the European Championship in France that June, Kane was assigned to take corner kicks, a tactic which was criticised by pundits,[282] but defended by Hodgson, who said that Kane was the best for the role.[283] He failed to score at the tournament as England were eliminated by Iceland at the round of 16.[284]

On 10 June 2017, Kane captained England for the first time in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Scotland at Hampden Park, scoring an added-time equaliser to rescue a 2–2 draw.[285] On 5 October, he scored an added-time winner against Slovenia which confirmed England's qualification to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[286]

2018–2020: Assuming the captaincy and FIFA World Cup Golden Boot

[edit]
Kane playing for England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Kane was named in the 23-man England squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and was named captain.[287][288] On 18 June, Kane scored both of England's goals in a 2–1 win over Tunisia, his winning goal coming deep in injury time, in the team's opening group game of the World Cup.[289] In the next group game on 24 June, Kane scored a hat-trick in England's 6–1 win over Panama, which was England's largest ever World Cup victory.[290][291] With his three goals against Panama, Kane became the third England player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match, after Geoff Hurst against West Germany in the 1966 final and Gary Lineker against Poland in 1986.[292]

Kane scored his sixth goal of the finals from a penalty kick in England's round of 16 tie with Colombia. He also scored the team's first kick of the penalty shoot-out as England prevailed 4–3; this was the first time that England had managed to win a penalty shoot-out at the World Cup.[293] Kane didn't score again for the rest of the tournament as England finished in fourth place after losing 2–0 Belgium in the third-place playoff.[294] However, his six goals in the tournament earned him the Golden Boot as the top goalscorer of the World Cup, the first England player to win the award since Gary Lineker became the first to do so in the 1986 tournament.[295][296]

The September international break saw the introduction of the UEFA Nations League. England's first match was on 8 September 2018 against Spain, which Kane captained for the full 90 minutes in a game which saw England lose 2–1.[297] On 15 October, England played Spain for the second time in the group, this time running out 3–2 winners with Kane assisting two of the three goals.[298] On 14 November, before a friendly against the United States, Kane presented Wayne Rooney with England's Golden Boot in recognition of Rooney's 53 England goals, a record that, at the time, made him England's all-time top goalscorer. In an interview following the match, which ended in a 3–0 win for England, Rooney revealed that he wanted Kane to present him the award, correctly predicting that Kane overtake him as all-time top goalscorer.[299] Three days after the United States match, Kane captained England in their final Nations League group match against Croatia as the Three Lions won 2–1. Kane first assisted Jesse Lingard's equaliser then scored the winning goal which saw England top the group and qualify for the Nations League Finals in June 2019.[300]

2021–present: Euro finals and all-time England top scorer

[edit]

In the qualifying phase of UEFA Euro 2020, Kane captained the 1,000th match played by England, and scored a hat-trick against Montenegro. This brought his tally to 31, which placed him sixth in the all-time list of England's top goalscorers and also made him the highest-ever scoring England captain.[301] The 7–0 win also secured England's qualification to UEFA Euro 2020.[302] Kane was in fine form throughout the qualifying process, becoming the first Englishman to score in every game in a qualifying campaign, registering a total of twelve goals – the joint-most for an England player in a single year.[303]

In the Euro 2020 round of 16 match on 29 June 2021, Kane scored the second goal against Germany. This was his first goal of the tournament in a 2–0 victory for England.[304] He scored a further two goals in the quarter-finals match against Ukraine on 3 July.[305] In the semi-final against Denmark, Kane scored the winning goal in a 2–1 triumph that secured England's place in the Euro 2020 final, the country's first final in a major competition since 1966, which they subsequently lost to Italy in a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw in regular time.[306][307] In the unsuccessful shootout, Kane did convert his penalty but England ultimately lost 3–2.[307]

Kane playing for England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

In the last two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino, Kane scored back-to-back first-half hat-tricks (including a "perfect hat-trick" against the former and four goals against the latter) to help secure England's qualification to the tournament in Qatar.[308] In June 2022, in the league phase of the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League, Kane scored his 50th international goal in the game against Germany, making him only the second player to score 50 goals for England, only three goals behind Wayne Rooney in the all-time England top-scorer list.[309] At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Kane scored twice, enough to equal Rooney's all-time top-scoring record, as England reached the quarter-finals; however they were eliminated by France after he missed a penalty in their 2–1 defeat.[310]

On 23 March 2023, he scored a penalty in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier to help England win 2–1 over reigning European champions Italy, which was also England's first away win against Italy since 1961.[311] This goal, his 54th for England, overtook Rooney's record and made Kane England's all-time record goalscorer.[312] Kane achieved this feat with 39 fewer games than Rooney, with a score rate of 0.7 goals per game, higher than most of England's recent top goalscorers.[313] On 17 October, he scored a brace in a 3–1 win against Italy in the second leg of the Euro 2024 qualifier, which was England's first win against their opponent at Wembley Stadium since 1977.[314]

In June 2024, Kane was named in England's 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[315] He captained England to a 1–0 win over Serbia in their opening Group C match on 16 June,[316] overtaking Gary Neville as England's outright most capped player at European Championships with his 12th Euros appearance. It was also his 23rd appearance at a major tournament, giving him the outright record ahead of Ashley Cole and Raheem Sterling.[317] On 20 June, in the second group match against Denmark, he scored his first goal of the tournament.[318] Kane scored the winning goal of England's round of 16 win over Slovakia with a header in the first minute of extra time. This match was his 79th appearance for England in a competitive match, breaking the record of Peter Shilton.[319] Kane scored the equaliser against the Netherlands, with a penalty in the first half of the semi-final. He started for England in the final against Spain, but was substituted in the 61st minute,[320] as England lost the final 2–1.[320] With three goals in the tournament, Kane was awarded the Golden Boot in a six-way tie. He became the third player ever to win the award at both the Euros and World Cup, after Valentin Ivanov and Dražan Jerković.[321]

Having won his 100th cap for the senior national team with a tally of 66 goals scored in 99 games, Kane made his centennial appearance for England on 10 September 2024 in a 2–0 home win against Finland in the Nations League, scoring both goals.[322][323] On 14 October 2025, he scored a brace in a 5–0 away win over Latvia, securing his nation's qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[324]

Player profile

[edit]

Development

[edit]

Kane's former youth coach Alex Inglethorpe has said of him:

When he first came into the under-18s as a 15 year old, he stood out in the sense he looked a bit gangly. He moved slightly awkwardly, he was a bit cumbersome. But look closer, he had a lot of ability, a great technique. I think he surprised people how good he was. Tactically he was very flexible. He often played in midfield. I remember seeing him once playing as a holding midfielder.[6]

As a teenager, Kane initially struggled in Tottenham's academy, partially due to his date of birth in July and the so-called Relative Age Effect,[325] he was not as physically developed as other players, nor was he as quick. However, he gained the respect of coaches with his technique and desire for self-improvement.[6]

When profiling Kane in February 2013, Talksport said that he was best as a second striker, despite also having ability as a centre forward or in a wide position.[326] They wrote that he preferred to place his shots, although he could also score from distance.[326] The report also noted that he had good pace, but was weak in the air and had not scored on his loan at Norwich.[326] Initially a back-up to £26 million Spanish import Roberto Soldado and frequently loaned out, Kane was eventually made Tottenham's starting forward by manager Mauricio Pochettino.[6] Under Pochettino, Kane said that his game has improved through the tough training techniques instituted by the manager.[327] He also strives to achieve marginal gain to maximise his potential by tweaking various aspects of his training and preparations as well as nutrition.[328]

Analysis

[edit]

Former Tottenham manager David Pleat described Kane as an "old-fashioned traditional centre-forward".[329] Clive Allen, who coached him at Tottenham, stated that "one thing I'd say about him, which unfortunately you don't say about a lot of young footballers, is that he had a passion for the game. He loves football, he loves playing, he loves scoring goals".[329] His former Tottenham under-21 coach Les Ferdinand likened Kane's movement to their former forward Teddy Sheringham, and the power and accuracy of his shots to Alan Shearer.[6]

A tall and physical striker,[330][331] Kane's style of play has been compared to that of former Tottenham forward Jürgen Klinsmann, a comparison Kane called flattering in February 2015.[332] In March 2015, Football Association chairman Greg Dyke named Kane as the benchmark for clubs producing young English players.[86] Shearer said that month that the three best strikers playing in the league were Kane, Diego Costa and Sergio Agüero.[333] Although he was initially criticised for his limited aerial game in his early career, as well as his lack of significant pace,[334] he became more prolific with his head as his career progressed.[335]

After Tottenham's victory over Chelsea in January 2015, blogger Chris Miller wrote, "Nobody thought he was the guy who was going to give that performance against Chelsea".[6] In February 2015, BBC Sport wrote that Kane was best as a lone striker, with his "hold-up play and close control" making him apt in other positions as well.[329] Also that month, Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy said that the England team should be built around Kane, stating, "I'm struggling to see a weakness in the lad's game".[336]

In August 2018, ESPN reporter Michael Cox said that "Kane was initially considered a pure goal scorer, he's actually a good all-round player, often playing as an attacking midfielder", stating that during the 2018 FIFA World Cup "Kane's contributions in deeper positions were outstanding, his back-to-goal work as impressive as ever".[337] Indeed, although Kane is predominantly known for his clinical finishing and prolific goalscoring ability as an out-and-out striker, he is also known for his vision, technique, link-up play, and passing ability, which enables him to drop deep, bring his teammates into play, and create chances for other players; he is therefore also capable of playing in a more creative role as a false 9 or even as a number 10.[338][339][340][341] In 2022, Sam McGuire of Opta Sports identified him as "the most creative number 9 in the world."[342] Additionally, he is also known for his defensive work-rate,[343] and is an accurate penalty taker.[344][345]

Beginning in 2020, Kane started to be criticised about a perceived tactic of backing into defenders jumping for headers, causing the players to fall backwards onto the pitch, potentially risking serious injury.[346] After doing so to Brighton & Hove Albion player Adam Lallana and winning a penalty, Kane was criticised by ex-Arsenal player Martin Keown who said, "He looks at his opponent, knows what he is going to do and makes a back for him. I think it is dangerous play from Harry Kane and he knows what he is doing and I don't even think it is a penalty."[347] However, this tactic has been defended by Crystal Palace defender Gary Cahill who said, "I think that's just part of football. I think an element of that is being clever and experienced and knowing when you can maybe draw a foul in."[348]

Media and sponsorship

[edit]

Kane began a boot sponsorship deal with footwear company Skechers in August 2023[349] after his agreement with sportswear and equipment supplier Nike ended.[350] Following his 100th Premier League goal in February 2018 Nike launched the special-edition Hypervenom 3 HK.[350] In 2018 he featured in a Nike commercial, "Nothing Beats a Londoner," along with other sports stars based in the city, including quadruple Olympic champion Mo Farah and Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard, highlighting London's diversity.[351] Ahead of UEFA Euro 2016, Kane featured in advertisements for Mars Bars and Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, the latter alongside Antoine Griezmann, Mario Götze and Cesc Fàbregas.[352]

Kane features in EA Sports' FIFA video game series: he was named to the Team of the Year in FIFA 18, joining Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.[353] Kane and Camila Cabello announced the winner of the "Best International Male Solo Artist" award at the 2018 Brit Awards at the O2 Arena on 21 February, namely Kendrick Lamar.[354]

On 14 May 2020, Kane announced that he would sponsor Leyton Orient's shirts for the next season to help support the first club he played for professionally through the COVID-19 pandemic.[355] The unusual sponsorship deal, the first of its kind in English football, has the approval of Premier League, English Football League and Football Association, and the sponsorship has been donated to charities which will receive 10% of the proceeds of the respective shirt sales – the home shirt shows a thank you message to the NHS frontline workers tackling the pandemic, the away shirt sporting a logo of Haven House Children's Hospice while the third kit features the mental health charity Mind.[356][357]

Personal life

[edit]

In an interview given in February 2015, Kane said he was in a relationship with Katie Goodland, whom he has known since childhood.[358] He told Esquire, "We went to school together, so she's seen my whole career. Of course, she's finding it a little crazy. I think she's even been in the papers a couple of times, taking the dogs out."[359] On 1 July 2017, Kane announced his engagement to Goodland on his Twitter account,[360] and said in June 2019 that they had married.[361]

Kane and Katie Goodland announced the birth of their first child, a daughter, in January 2017.[362] The birth of their second daughter was announced in August 2018.[363] Their first son was born in December 2020,[364] and their second son was born in August 2023.[365]

Kane and Goodland have two Labrador retrievers, Brady and Wilson. He named one after NFL quarterback Tom Brady. In response to a suggestion that the other dog's name was a reference to NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, Kane stated: "My wife actually named the other one Wilson. People just assumed it was for Russell Wilson. But it was just a coincidence."[366][367] Kane has cited The Brady 6, a documentary about Brady, as an inspiration for his development.[368] In 2019, Kane expressed an interest in becoming a kicker in the NFL "in 10 to 12 years".[369]

Kane abstains from alcohol during the football season, and starting from 2017, he hired a full-time chef to optimise his nutrition.[370] He plays golf in his free time. As of 2024, he is a 3 handicap.[359][371]

Kane was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to football.[372]

On 10 October 2022, Kane launched the Harry Kane Foundation, which "seeks to change perceptions of mental health by normalising conversations and promoting positive habits to end stigma around the subject". To mark the occasion, Kane featured on CBeebies' Bedtime Stories.[373]

A mural of Kane outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was unveiled in May 2023 in celebration of Kane becoming Tottenham's record goalscorer. Kane and his family left their handprints and signatures on the bottom of the mural.[374][375] A statue of Kane commissioned by Waltham Forest Council in 2020, though a permanent location was debated for years, leaving the statue in storage until November 2024, when the statue was unveiled at the Peter May Sports Centre in Walthamstow.[376][377]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 25 October 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tottenham Hotspur 2010–11[378] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011–12[379] Premier League 0 0 0 0 6[c] 1 6 1
2012–13[380] Premier League 1 0 0 0 1 0
2013–14[381] Premier League 10 3 0 0 2 1 7[c] 0 19 4
2014–15[382] Premier League 34 21 2 0 6 3 9[c] 7 51 31
2015–16[383] Premier League 38 25 4 1 1 0 7[c] 2 50 28
2016–17[384] Premier League 30 29 3 4 0 0 5[d] 2 38 35
2017–18[385] Premier League 37 30 4 4 0 0 7[e] 7 48 41
2018–19[386] Premier League 28 17 1 1 2 1 9[e] 5 40 24
2019–20[387] Premier League 29 18 0 0 0 0 5[e] 6 34 24
2020–21[388] Premier League 35 23 2 1 4 1 8[c] 8 49 33
2021–22[389] Premier League 37 17 3 3 5 1 5[f] 6 50 27
2022–23[390] Premier League 38 30 2 1 1 0 8[e] 1 49 32
Total 317 213 21 15 21 7 76 45 435 280
Leyton Orient (loan) 2010–11[378] League One 18 5 0 0 18 5
Millwall (loan) 2011–12[379] Championship 22 7 5 2 27 9
Norwich City (loan) 2012–13[380] Premier League 3 0 1 0 1 0 5 0
Leicester City (loan) 2012–13[380] Championship 13 2 2[g] 0 15 2
Bayern Munich 2023–24[391] Bundesliga 32 36 0 0 12[e] 8 1[h] 0 45 44
2024–25[392] Bundesliga 31 26 2 1 13[e] 11 5[i] 3 51 41
2025–26[393] Bundesliga 8 12 1 2 3[e] 5 1[j] 1 13 20
Total 71 74 3 3 28 24 7 4 109 105
Career total 445 301 30 20 22 7 104 69 9 4 609 401
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, DFB-Pokal
  2. ^ Includes Football League/EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c d e Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Three appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  7. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs
  8. ^ Appearance in DFL-Supercup
  9. ^ Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  10. ^ Appearance in Franz Beckenbauer Supercup

International

[edit]
As of match played 14 October 2025[394]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 2015 8 3
2016 9 2
2017 6 7
2018 12 8
2019 10 12
2020 6 0
2021 16 16
2022 13 5
2023 9 9
2024 14 7
2025 7 7
Total 110 76

Honours

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A mural of Kane outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium commissioned in celebration of him becoming Tottenham's highest goalscorer

Tottenham Hotspur

Bayern Munich

England

Individual

Orders

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Harry Kane is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and captains the England national team.[1][2][3] Born on 28 July 1993 in London, England, Kane grew up in the Chingford area and began playing football at age six for Ridgeway Rovers, initially as a goalkeeper before switching to striker.[1][4] After being released by Arsenal at age 11 for being "a bit overweight," he joined Tottenham Hotspur's youth academy in 2004, signing professional terms on his 16th birthday in 2009.[4][5] Kane's breakthrough came through loan spells at Leyton Orient (2011, 5 goals in 18 appearances), Millwall (2012, no goals in 9 appearances), Norwich City (2012–13, 0 goals in 3 appearances), and Leicester City (2013–14, 0 goals in 10 appearances), before establishing himself at Tottenham in the 2014–15 season with 31 goals across all competitions.[4][6] He spent 19 years at Tottenham, becoming the club's all-time leading scorer with 280 goals in 435 appearances, winning three major individual awards including the Premier League Golden Boot three times (2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21), and reaching the 2019 UEFA Champions League final.[2][1] In August 2023, Kane transferred to Bayern Munich, where he set a Bundesliga record for a debutant with 36 goals in 34 appearances during the 2023–24 season, shared the 2023–24 Champions League top scorer title with 8 goals, and won his first major team trophy, the 2024–25 Bundesliga title with 26 goals and 8 assists.[2][1] In the 2025–26 season, as of March 2026, Kane has scored 30 goals and provided 5 assists in 24 Bundesliga appearances. He was named Bundesliga Player of the Month for February 2026, his third of the season (following September and December 2025), in recognition of leading the league in goals scored during the month.[7][8][9] Kane made his England debut in 2015 and was appointed captain in 2018 ahead of the FIFA World Cup.[3] He is England's all-time leading goalscorer and has earned numerous accolades, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot with 6 goals as the team reached the semi-finals, and the shared top scorer honour at UEFA EURO 2024 with 3 goals.[2][10] Known for his clinical finishing, playmaking ability, and leadership, Kane has also received the MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to football.[11] As of February 2026, there is no undisputed best footballer in the world due to subjectivity. The 2025 Ballon d'Or (awarded September 2025) was won by Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain). Current mid-season power rankings for the 2026 Ballon d'Or place Harry Kane at #1, followed closely by Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Erling Haaland, and Lamine Yamal.[12][13][14]

Early life

Birth and family

Harry Edward Kane was born on 28 July 1993 in Walthamstow, East London.[15] He is the son of Patrick "Pat" Kane and Kim Kane (née Hogg), with his father hailing from County Galway, Ireland, giving Kane Irish heritage on his paternal side.[16] His mother was born and raised in London, where her family, the Hoggs, had a history in pottery.[17] Kane grew up with his older brother, Charlie, in a working-class family environment in East London.[18] The family relocated from Walthamstow to Chingford, also in East London, during his early childhood, where he spent much of his formative years.[19] For his early education, Kane attended Larkswood Primary Academy in Chingford until 2004, followed by Chingford Foundation School.[4]

Early football involvement

Kane's introduction to organized football came at the age of five or six, when he joined the Ridgeway Rovers youth team in his hometown of Chingford, a local Sunday league club that had previously nurtured talents like David Beckham.[20] Initially playing as a goalkeeper before switching to striker, and alongside school friends, Kane quickly developed a passion for the game, often practicing after school with his father and older brother Charlie, who provided constant encouragement and helped build his skills in informal settings.[20][21] These early sessions at Ridgeway emphasized teamwork and enjoyment, marking Kane's first structured exposure to competitive play in a supportive community environment.[22] Despite his enthusiasm, Kane faced initial challenges with physicality during his youth phases, often being the smallest player in his age group due to a late birthday, which led to him being overlooked by some scouts for lacking pace and athleticism.[20] At age eight in 2001, he trialed successfully and joined Arsenal's academy, but was released at age nine in 2002 after one season when coaches deemed him "a bit chubby" and not sufficiently athletic, a decision that highlighted his early developmental hurdles.[23][22][20] This rejection was a setback, yet it fueled his determination, as he returned to Ridgeway Rovers to continue honing his abilities amid these physical limitations.[20] Supported by his family's unwavering encouragement—particularly his father's advice to persist and work harder—Kane persisted with trials at other clubs, including a brief stint at Watford.[20] In 2004, at age 11, after an initial rejection from Tottenham Hotspur's academy, he impressed during a subsequent six-week trial by scoring a hat-trick against them while on trial at Watford, securing his place in Spurs' youth system.[24][20] These formative experiences, bolstered by familial motivation, bridged Kane's local beginnings to his entry into professional youth development.[21]

Club career

Youth and loan spells at Tottenham Hotspur (2004–2014)

Harry Kane joined Tottenham Hotspur's academy at the age of 11 in 2004, after being released by Arsenal's youth setup at a younger age, which fueled his determination to succeed at his boyhood club.[22][20] He progressed steadily through the age groups, from under-12s to under-18s, honing his skills under coaches who recognized his natural finishing ability despite initial concerns over his physical maturity.[25] In the youth system, Kane established himself as a prolific goalscorer, notably netting 18 goals in 22 appearances for the under-18 team during the 2009–10 season, which earned him attention from senior scouts. He also featured in the FA Youth Cup, scoring crucial goals, including the winner in a 1–0 victory over Wigan Athletic in 2010 to advance Tottenham's under-18s to the fourth round.[26] These performances underscored his potential, though stiff competition for first-team places at Tottenham necessitated loan moves to build experience. Kane's senior breakthrough came on loan to Leyton Orient in League One during the second half of the 2010–11 season, where the 17-year-old made his professional debut and scored five goals in 18 appearances, helping the club avoid relegation.[27] His form earned a recall to Tottenham but led to another loan at Championship side Millwall for 2011–12, where he played 27 matches, scored nine goals—including several long-range strikes—and provided five assists, contributing to the team's survival in the second tier.[28][29] The 2012–13 season saw Kane loaned to Premier League club Norwich City in August, but opportunities were limited due to competition from established forwards; he made just five substitute appearances without scoring before a hamstring injury ended his spell early in November.[30] Returning to Tottenham's under-21s, he refocused on development before joining Championship side Leicester City on loan in January 2014 to aid their promotion push. There, Kane featured in 15 league games, scoring two goals, as Leicester secured automatic promotion with a club-record 102 points.[31] These frequent loans, totaling four in three years, stemmed from intense first-team competition at Tottenham under managers like Harry Redknapp and André Villas-Boas, who prioritized experienced players.[22] Kane used the time to address physical shortcomings, bulking up through targeted strength training to better handle professional demands, transforming from a "chubby" youth prospect into a more robust athlete ready for senior football.[25][31]

Breakthrough and rise at Tottenham (2014–2017)

Kane's path to first-team prominence at Tottenham began in earnest during the 2013–14 season under caretaker manager Tim Sherwood, who handed him his Premier League debut in April 2014 and three goals in six appearances, drawing on the resilience forged during his earlier loan spells.[32] With Mauricio Pochettino appointed as head coach in the summer of 2014, Kane fully integrated into the senior squad in the 2014–15 season, transitioning from a peripheral figure to Tottenham's primary striker.[33] He scored 21 goals in 34 Premier League matches and 31 goals across all competitions, a tally that marked the highest for a Tottenham player in a single season since Gary Lineker in 1991–92.[33] His breakout performance earned him the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2015.[34] In the 2015–16 season, Kane solidified his status as Tottenham's talisman, netting 25 goals in the Premier League to claim the Golden Boot as the league's top scorer—the first English player to do so since Kevin Phillips in 1999–2000.[35] His prolific form played a pivotal role in Tottenham's third-place finish, securing Champions League qualification for the first time in six years.[36] Kane's ascent continued in the 2016–17 season, where he scored 29 Premier League goals to win a second consecutive Golden Boot, finishing one ahead of Romelu Lukaku.[37] This haul contributed to Tottenham's runners-up position in the league, their highest in over 25 years, while he tallied 39 goals across all competitions.[38] Under Pochettino, Kane adapted to a high-pressing, fluid attacking system that emphasized his hold-up play, aerial prowess, and clinical finishing as a central forward.[39] He formed a potent partnership with midfielders Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, whose creativity and movement created numerous scoring opportunities, exemplified by Alli's runs into the box and Eriksen's precise through-balls during Tottenham's counter-attacking phases.[39] This synergy elevated Tottenham's attack, blending Kane's goal-scoring instinct with the duo's supporting roles in build-up play.[39]

Peak performance at Tottenham (2018–2021)

During the 2018–2021 period, Harry Kane established himself as Tottenham Hotspur's most prolific forward, consistently delivering high goal tallies across competitions while adapting his role to contribute more dynamically in build-up play. This era marked his maturation into a complete attacker, blending clinical finishing with enhanced creativity, as evidenced by his sustained output despite varying team fortunes and personal challenges. Kane's performances not only propelled Tottenham to notable European runs but also solidified his status as one of the Premier League's elite strikers. In the 2017–18 season, Kane shattered Tottenham's single-season goal record with 41 strikes across all competitions, including 30 in the Premier League where he finished as the second-highest scorer behind Mohamed Salah's 32. His form during this campaign, which included a brace in a 4-1 victory over Liverpool, was instrumental in Tottenham securing a Champions League spot, and it carried over to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where Kane's six goals earned him the Golden Boot, boosting his confidence for subsequent seasons. Although he did not claim the Premier League Golden Boot, his haul underscored his consistency, with notable contributions in the FA Cup where he scored four goals. The 2018–19 season saw Kane score 24 goals in all competitions, with 17 in the Premier League, amid Tottenham's memorable run to the UEFA Champions League final. He netted five times in the competition, including a brace against Manchester City in the quarter-finals that helped overturn a first-leg deficit, though Tottenham ultimately fell 2-0 to Liverpool in the Madrid showpiece. Kane's efforts earned him a place on the shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, recognizing his pivotal role in the team's deepest European venture since 1962, despite finishing fourth in the Premier League. Kane's 2019–20 campaign was hampered by injuries, particularly a ruptured hamstring tendon sustained in January against Southampton, which sidelined him for approximately 68 days and caused him to miss 14 matches across competitions. Despite these setbacks, he still managed 24 goals in all competitions, including 18 in the Premier League and six in the Champions League group stage, demonstrating resilience as Tottenham finished sixth and qualified for the Europa League. In 2020–21, Kane reclaimed individual accolades by winning his third Premier League Golden Boot with 23 goals and the inaugural Playmaker of the Season award with 14 assists, becoming only the second player after Thierry Henry to lead the league in both metrics in a single campaign. His partnership with Son Heung-min yielded 37 goal involvements, the highest in the division, while Tottenham advanced to the round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League before elimination by Dinamo Zagreb. This season highlighted Kane's evolution, as he increasingly dropped deeper to orchestrate attacks, a tactical shift under managers José Mourinho and later Ryan Mason that enhanced his overall influence. By the end of the 2020–21 season, Kane had amassed 166 Premier League goals for Tottenham, reflecting his peak productivity and growing versatility as a playmaker who linked midfield and attack more fluidly.

Final years and departure from Tottenham (2021–2023)

In the 2021–22 season, Harry Kane scored 27 goals in 50 appearances across all competitions for Tottenham Hotspur, helping the team secure fourth place in the Premier League and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.[40] Amid this individual output, Kane publicly expressed his desire to leave Tottenham for a club competing in the Champions League, citing ambitions to win major trophies in an interview with former teammate Gary Neville.[41] Manchester City submitted bids totaling around £100 million, which were rejected by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, leading to a contract standoff as Kane declined a new deal offered on August 9, 2021.[41] The saga concluded with Kane confirming via social media on August 25, 2021, that he would remain at the club for the season.[42] Tottenham underwent significant managerial upheaval during this period, with Nuno Espírito Santo appointed in June 2021 but sacked in November after a poor start, paving the way for Antonio Conte's arrival.[43] Under Conte, Kane's form improved, contributing to the late-season surge, though team tensions simmered. The following 2022–23 campaign saw Kane elevate his performance further, netting 32 goals in 49 appearances, including 30 in the Premier League—his joint-highest tally in the competition.[44] On February 5, 2023, he surpassed Jimmy Greaves' long-standing record of 266 goals to become Tottenham's all-time leading scorer with his 267th strike in a 1–0 victory over Manchester City, eventually reaching 280 goals by season's end.[45] Despite his prolific scoring, Tottenham exited the Champions League group stage and finished eighth in the Premier League, their lowest position since 2009.[44] The 2022–23 season was marred by further instability, as Conte departed in March 2023 following public criticism of the squad and board, with assistant Cristian Stellini briefly serving as interim before his own dismissal after a 6–1 defeat to Newcastle United.[43] Ryan Mason then took over as caretaker until the end of the campaign. Kane rejected multiple contract extension offers, including one in early July 2023 that would have doubled his £200,000 weekly wage, as his existing deal was set to expire in 2024.[43] Transfer interest intensified in summer 2023, with Bayern Munich agreeing personal terms with Kane and submitting bids starting at €70 million, which Tottenham rejected before accepting a deal worth €100 million plus €20 million in add-ons—reportedly the highest fee ever for a player over 30.[43] The protracted negotiations highlighted ongoing tensions with Levy, but the transfer was finalized on August 12, 2023. In an emotional Instagram post, Kane bid farewell to Tottenham and its fans, expressing gratitude for the club's role in his career while acknowledging the difficulty of the departure after nearly two decades involved with the academy and first team.

Transfer and debut season at Bayern Munich (2023–2024)

On 10 August 2023, Bayern Munich agreed a club-record transfer fee of €100 million (£86.4 million) plus up to €20 million in add-ons with Tottenham Hotspur for Harry Kane, making it the most expensive transfer in Bundesliga history.[46] Kane, Tottenham's all-time leading scorer with 280 goals in 435 appearances, signed a four-year contract with Bayern until June 2027, departing as a club legend after 19 years in their system.[46] The move ended a protracted summer saga, with Kane seeking a new challenge to pursue major trophies following multiple near-misses at Tottenham. Kane made his Bayern debut in the DFL-Supercup on 12 August 2023, starting in a 0–3 loss to RB Leipzig, though he did not score.[47] His first competitive goal came three days later in his Bundesliga debut against SV Darmstadt 98 on 18 August, where he netted Bayern's third in a 3–0 victory, showcasing his clinical finishing with a composed right-footed strike from the edge of the box. Adapting swiftly to the faster pace of German football, Kane formed effective partnerships with wingers Leroy Sané and Jamal Musiala, who provided key assists and created space for his movement in the penalty area; Sané assisted six of Kane's Bundesliga goals that season, while Musiala's interplay complemented Kane's hold-up play. In his debut 2023–24 season, Kane scored 44 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions, including 36 in 32 Bundesliga matches, earning him the league's top scorer award and the 2023–24 European Golden Shoe as Europe's leading league goalscorer. His prolific output included four hat-tricks, with Bayern praising his finishing ability despite the league's high-pressing intensity, which Kane noted required quicker decision-making compared to the Premier League. Bayern finished second in the Bundesliga behind Bayer Leverkusen, but Kane's goals were instrumental in their title challenge, while in the Champions League, Kane scored 8 goals as Bayern reached the semi-finals before a 3–4 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid, with Kane scoring in the first leg.[48] Bayern were eliminated in the DFB-Pokal's second round by third-tier Saarbrücken, marking an uncharacteristically early exit.

2024–2025 season at Bayern Munich

In the 2024–25 season, Harry Kane continued to anchor Bayern Munich's attack under new manager Vincent Kompany, who emphasized a more fluid, possession-based system that allowed Kane to drop deeper and contribute to build-up play.[49] Kane featured in 46 competitive matches across all competitions, demonstrating high availability despite minor setbacks including a torn muscle fiber in December 2024 and an ankle injury in September, which caused him to miss only a handful of games.[50][51] His assist numbers rose notably to 13 across competitions, reflecting his improved tactical integration compared to his debut campaign.[50] Kane's scoring prowess was instrumental in Bayern securing the Bundesliga title, marking the striker's first major team trophy after a career spent without silverware at Tottenham Hotspur.[52] He netted 26 goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances, topping the league's scoring charts for the second consecutive season and earning the Bundesliga Player of the Season award.[53][54] In the DFB-Pokal, Bayern exited early after two rounds, with Kane scoring once and assisting in limited action.[50] Bayern advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals, where Kane contributed 11 goals and 2 assists in 13 matches, helping the team reach the last eight before elimination.[55][50] His overall performance, blending clinical finishing with creative output, solidified his role as Bayern's talisman and broke his long-standing trophy drought.[56]

2025–2026 season at Bayern Munich

Harry Kane began the 2025–2026 season at Bayern Munich with exceptional form, scoring 13 goals in 10 Bundesliga appearances as of mid-November 2025, including four penalties.[57] His overall club tally reached 19 goals across 11 matches in all competitions, highlighted by his 400th career club goal on 18 October 2025 against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.[58] Earlier in the campaign, Kane had already achieved his 100th goal for Bayern on 26 September 2025, surpassing records set by Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo for the fastest century of goals in Europe's top five leagues this century, accomplished in just 104 matches.[59] Combining club and international efforts, Kane amassed 23 goals in 15 games by late October, with his heat map revealing deeper involvement across the pitch, including frequent touches in midfield and even his own half, underscoring his evolving role as a complete forward under Bayern's tactical setup.[60][61] This prolific output propelled Bayern to the top of the Bundesliga table after nine matchdays, with the team unbeaten and leading by several points.[62] Continuing their dominance, Bayern secured an 8–1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg on 11 January 2026, with goals from an own goal by Fischer, two each from Luis Díaz and Michael Olise, and one each from Raphaël Guerreiro, Harry Kane (in the 69th minute, his 20th Bundesliga goal of the season in his 16th appearance), and Leon Goretzka, extending Bayern's lead at the top of the table to 11 points.[63][64] In the Champions League, Bayern advanced strongly through the league phase, securing a crucial 2–1 away win against Paris Saint-Germain on 4 November. Kane was a key contributor, scoring 8 goals in 8 matches as of February 25, 2026.[65][66] Amid his on-pitch dominance, transfer speculation intensified in November 2025, with reports linking Kane to Manchester United and Barcelona as potential destinations for 2026.[67][68] His contract with Bayern runs until 2027, but rumors circulated of a €65 million (£57 million) release clause activatable next summer, though Kane remained fully committed with no departure confirmed as of 14 November.[69][70] As of February 2026, there is no undisputed best soccer player in the world due to the subjective nature of the award. The reigning Ballon d'Or winner (for 2025, awarded September 2025) is Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain). Current power rankings and statistical indices for the 2026 Ballon d'Or race (mid-2025/26 season) often place Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) at #1, followed closely by players like Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) and others such as Erling Haaland or Lamine Yamal.[12][14] As of late March 2026, Kane has scored 31 goals and provided 5 assists in 26 Bundesliga appearances. Across all competitions, he has recorded approximately 48 goals and 5 assists in around 40 matches, surpassing his previous single-season records and highlighting his prolific form. These performances have positioned him as a frontrunner in power rankings for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, with some sources placing him at the top amid competition from players like Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. In addition to his goal-scoring prowess, Kane's all-around contributions continue to be reflected in advanced performance metrics, maintaining high ratings across major platforms.

International career

Youth internationals (2010–2015)

Kane made his debut for the England under-17 team in February 2010 during the Algarve Tournament, where he featured under manager John Peacock.[71] He scored his first international goals later that year in qualification matches for the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, netting against Malta in a 5-0 win at Burton Albion and against Slovakia at the Sixfields Stadium, contributing to England's successful qualification for the finals in Liechtenstein.[72] However, an injury prevented him from participating in the tournament itself, where England ultimately won the title by defeating France in the final.[73] Across six appearances for the under-17s, Kane scored two goals, showcasing his emerging goalscoring prowess in youth setups. Progressing to the under-19 level in 2010, Kane became a key figure under coach Noel Blake, earning 14 caps and scoring six goals over two years. His standout performances came during the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Estonia, where he helped England reach the semi-finals after topping Group B. Kane scored the decisive second goal in a 2-1 quarter-final victory over France, striking from close range in the first half to secure progression alongside John Lundstram's opener.[74] This success also qualified England for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, where Kane later made three appearances and scored once for the under-20 side.[73] His contributions highlighted his clinical finishing and importance in high-stakes youth tournaments. Kane's transition to the under-21 team began in 2013 under Gareth Southgate, where he quickly established himself as a prolific scorer with 14 caps and eight goals by 2015. In October 2013, during UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying, he netted a hat-trick in a 4-0 away win over San Marino, converting a penalty in first-half stoppage time, tapping in a rebound in the 66th minute, and heading home in the 89th to cap the victory after San Marino were reduced to 10 men.[75] Kane continued his form with a goal in the play-off second leg against Croatia in October 2014, helping secure a 2-1 aggregate win and qualification for the 2015 finals in the Czech Republic.[76] Overall, he scored six goals in eight qualifying matches, earning selection for the tournament squad despite his recent senior debut.[77] Throughout his under-21 stint, Kane was noted for his leadership qualities, often leading the line and inspiring teammates in competitive environments.[73] In total, Kane amassed around 30 appearances and over 15 goals across England's youth teams from under-17 to under-21 levels between 2010 and 2015, laying the foundation for his senior international breakthrough. His loan spells at various clubs during this period further honed his skills, aiding his selection for these national youth squads.[72]

Senior debut and early tournaments (2015–2018)

Harry Kane earned his first senior cap for England on 27 March 2015, substituting into a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Lithuania at Wembley Stadium and scoring with his first touch—a header from a Wayne Rooney corner after just 79 seconds—to seal a 4–0 victory.[78] Under manager Roy Hodgson, Kane rapidly emerged as a key figure, netting goals in his subsequent appearances against San Marino and Switzerland in September 2015, Estonia and Lithuania in October 2015, to score five goals in his first 10 international matches, before adding a sixth against Germany in March 2016.[79] Kane contributed three goals during England's successful Euro 2016 qualifying campaign but endured a challenging tournament in France, where he failed to score across four group-stage and knockout matches amid an ankle injury and tactical adjustments; England were eliminated in the round of 16 by Iceland in a 2–1 upset defeat on 27 June 2016.[80] His form returned under new manager Gareth Southgate, who took over post-Euro 2016, with Kane leading England's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying effort as top scorer with seven goals across 10 matches, including braces against Malta and decisive strikes in wins over Scotland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Kane captained England to their first semi-final appearance since 1990, scoring six goals—including a hat-trick against Panama—to claim the Golden Boot as the tournament's leading scorer, though the team fell 2–1 after extra time to Croatia in the semi-finals on 11 July 2018. By the end of 2018, Kane had amassed 40 caps and 24 goals for the senior team, solidifying his role as England's primary striker through his transition from Hodgson's regime to Southgate's tenure.[81]

Captaincy and World Cup success (2018–2020)

In May 2018, ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Harry Kane was appointed as England's captain by manager Gareth Southgate, becoming the youngest player to lead the team at a World Cup since 1966.[3] Kane, who had already established himself as a key figure in the squad with consistent performances, took on the role permanently following temporary captaincies in prior matches.[82] By November 2025, he had amassed over 80 caps as skipper, solidifying his status as one of England's most enduring leaders.[83] Kane's captaincy debuted at the 2018 World Cup, where he led England to their first semi-final appearance since 1990.[84] He scored six goals across the tournament, earning the Golden Boot as the top scorer despite only one coming from open play.[84] His tally included two penalties in the group stage victory over Panama—a 6–1 win that featured his hat-trick—and another decisive penalty against Colombia in the round of 16, which forced extra time and a subsequent shootout win.[85] England's run ended in the semi-final with a 2–1 extra-time defeat to Croatia, but Kane's leadership and scoring prowess marked a significant milestone for the team.[84] Following the World Cup, Kane continued as captain through the inaugural UEFA Nations League and the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, maintaining his scoring form. In the Nations League, he netted crucial goals, including the winner in a 2–1 victory over Croatia in November 2018 that secured England's place in the finals.[73] During Euro 2020 qualifiers, Kane topped the scoring charts with 12 goals in eight matches, helping England finish atop their group unbeaten.[86] His consistent contributions underscored his role as the team's focal point in attack during this period. Kane's leadership style emphasized vocality on the pitch and leading by example, often rallying teammates during high-pressure moments.[87] He focused on mentoring younger players, fostering a supportive environment within the squad to build confidence and cohesion.[88] This approach, combining on-field intensity with off-pitch guidance, helped cultivate a more unified England team during his early years as captain.

European Championships and all-time records (2021–present)

Under the captaincy of Harry Kane, England reached the final of UEFA Euro 2020, held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where Kane contributed four goals across the knockout stages. He scored twice in the round of 16 victory over Germany, including a header to secure a 2-0 win, before adding a goal in the quarter-final against Ukraine and the extra-time winner in the semi-final versus Denmark. Despite these efforts, England lost to Italy in the final on penalties, with Kane missing his spot-kick in the shootout after a 1-1 draw. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Kane led England to the quarter-finals, scoring five goals in total, three of which came in the group stage. He netted two penalties in a 6-2 win over Iran and converted a late strike against Wales to advance from Group B, though England drew 0-0 with the United States. Kane added a goal in the round of 16 against Senegal before scoring a penalty in the quarter-final loss to France, which equalled Wayne Rooney's all-time England record of 53 international goals.[89] England were eliminated 2-1 by France, ending their campaign without a trophy. Kane surpassed Rooney's record shortly after, scoring his 54th international goal in a 2-1 friendly win over Italy on March 23, 2023, during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers.[90] This milestone cemented his status as England's greatest goalscorer, a position he has extended significantly since. By November 2025, Kane had amassed 76 goals in 111 appearances for England.[91] At UEFA Euro 2024, Kane again guided England to the final as captain, scoring three goals en route to a 2-1 defeat by Spain. His strikes included a dramatic 95th-minute equalizer against Slovakia in the round of 16, a header in extra time versus Switzerland in the quarter-finals, and an early goal in the final before Spain's comeback. These efforts helped England overcome a challenging group stage and reach their second consecutive European Championship final. Kane's international form remains prolific following England's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, secured in October 2025 after he scored six goals in the European qualifiers that year, including a brace in the 5–0 win over Latvia that clinched their place with two games to spare.[92] England continued their campaign with a 2–0 victory over Serbia on 14 November 2025, with Kane captaining the side.[93] With over 70 career international goals, Kane continues to set benchmarks, including the most goals by an England player in competitive matches.[91]

Playing style

Development and positional evolution

Kane's early development at Tottenham Hotspur's academy, which he joined in 2004 at age 11, centered on honing his finishing abilities to compensate for initial physical limitations. Coaches emphasized diverse techniques, including left-foot volleys, headers, and one-touch finishes, with academy director Alex Inglethorpe noting that Kane obsessively requested extra sessions to refine these skills.[24] To address concerns over his pace and acceleration, particularly during loan spells at clubs like Leyton Orient and Millwall, Kane underwent targeted strength training; under Mauricio Pochettino's staff, a specialized "power programme" incorporated hamstring curls, glute bridges, and single-leg exercises, alongside core stability work and sprint mechanics analysis, transforming him from a raw prospect into a more explosive forward.[94] As Kane matured, his positional role evolved from a traditional poacher reliant on box positioning to a deeper-lying forward, often functioning as a false 9 or No. 10, which broadened his influence beyond scoring. This shift was evident in his increased playmaking, with career assists in club competitions surpassing 70 by 2025, exemplified by seasons where he provided double-digit contributions from advanced midfield areas.[95] Pochettino's high-pressing system at Tottenham encouraged Kane to drop deep for ball reception, disrupting opponents and linking play, while injuries during the 2019–20 season— including a hamstring injury that limited his appearances and contributed to 24 goals across all competitions—forced further adaptations under José Mourinho, where he operated even deeper to evade markers and facilitate transitions, preserving his output despite reduced minutes.[96] At Bayern Munich, this evolution aligned seamlessly with Thomas Tuchel's fluid attacking setup, allowing Kane to rotate positions, switch play with precise passes, and exploit spaces as a creative hub rather than a static focal point.[97] Kane's growth was profoundly shaped by inspiration from figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, whose relentless work ethic he emulated through a rigorous personal regimen emphasizing nutrition, recovery, and longevity. Inspired by Ronaldo's physical conditioning, Kane adopted a disciplined diet—high in lean proteins and anti-inflammatory foods—and incorporated off-season training focused on mobility and endurance to mitigate injury risks and sustain peak performance into his 30s.[98] This approach, combined with Ronaldo's influence on marginal gains in recovery protocols, enabled Kane to transition from a goal-focused striker to a complete forward capable of dictating games from deeper zones.

Key attributes and tactical role

Harry Kane is renowned for his clinical finishing, utilizing both feet and headers with exceptional precision, which has established him as one of the premier goal-scorers in modern football.[99] His ability to convert chances from various positions, including long-range efforts and headed attempts, underscores his versatility as a forward.[99] Additionally, Kane excels in hold-up play, maintaining possession under pressure and serving as a focal point for his team's attacks, a trait rated as very strong in performance analyses.[99] His vision and playmaking further enhance his profile, with strong proficiency in through balls, key passes, and overall passing, enabling him to create scoring opportunities for teammates.[99] Kane's penalty-taking expertise is particularly notable, boasting a conversion rate approaching 90% across his career, making him a reliable option in high-stakes situations.[100] Despite these strengths, Kane has acknowledged limitations in his pace, which prevents him from consistently outrunning defenders on the break, leading him to adapt by dropping deeper to exploit his other qualities.[101] He has also been prone to occasional injuries, particularly recurring ankle issues that have sidelined him multiple times since 2016, though he has demonstrated resilience in recovering and maintaining high output.[102] Tactically, Kane operates primarily as a central striker who frequently drops into deeper midfield areas to initiate build-up play, link with midfielders, and create space for others, a role that has proven ideal for Bayern Munich's possession-oriented system under coaches like Thomas Tuchel and Vincent Kompany.[100] This positional fluidity allows him to act as a "quarterback" in attack, distributing progressive passes and switches while arriving late in the box to finish moves, thereby balancing goal-scoring with creative contributions.[61] He leads pressing efforts from the front when required, though his defensive contributions remain a relative weakness compared to his offensive prowess.[99] Comparisons are often drawn to Alan Shearer for his finishing and hold-up ability, and to Cristiano Ronaldo for his all-around forward impact and penalty reliability.[103] Kane's attributes have earned widespread praise from elite managers; Pep Guardiola has described Tottenham as "the Harry Kane team" and marveled at his decisive performances against Manchester City.[104] Jürgen Klopp has expressed admiration for Kane's striking ability, notably congratulating him on a wondergoal against Liverpool and affirming his status as a top forward.[105] Recent 2025 analyses highlight his seamless adaptation to the Bundesliga, where his deeper role has elevated Bayern's attack, with 18 goals in 10 matches underscoring his continued dominance.[61]

Off the field

Sponsorships and endorsements

Harry Kane's sponsorship career began modestly during his youth days at Tottenham Hotspur, where he signed an early boot deal with Nike that would span much of his professional tenure.[106] His profile surged following England's run to the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, where he claimed the Golden Boot as top scorer, attracting a wave of global commercial opportunities and transitioning from localized partnerships to high-profile international endorsements.[107] Among his prominent deals, Kane inked a lifetime global agreement with Skechers in August 2023, marking the brand's entry into professional football and featuring custom SKX boots worn on the pitch for Bayern Munich and England.[108] He has also served as a global brand ambassador for Allianz since June 2024, promoting themes of unity and financial security in campaigns tied to his role at Bayern, the insurer's club partner.[109] In October 2025, Kane became the global ambassador for Eveready, emphasizing accessible energy solutions in a partnership aimed at broadening the brand's reach.[110] Earlier endorsements include appearances in Beats by Dre advertisements ahead of the 2018 World Cup, alongside stars like Neymar, and a 2016 Mars campaign featuring him with teammates Danny Welbeck and Jamie Vardy to promote the '#Believe' initiative during UEFA Euro 2016.[111][112] By 2025, Kane's endorsement portfolio has established him as one of England's most commercially valuable footballers, with Forbes estimating his off-field earnings at $10 million annually, derived from sponsorships, licensing, and appearances.[113] Independent reports value his image rights income at approximately £10.8 million in recent years, reflecting the financial impact of his deals amid his status as a consistent goal-scorer and national team captain.[114]

Media presence and public image

Harry Kane has maintained a prominent media presence through candid interviews addressing key moments in his career, particularly during high-profile transfer sagas. In 2021, he openly discussed the emotional toll of his unsuccessful attempt to join Manchester City from Tottenham Hotspur, describing how the protracted negotiations and eventual failure, combined with England's Euro 2020 final loss, left him mentally drained.[115] Kane broke his silence on the matter in August 2021, expressing frustration over the stalled move while emphasizing his desire to compete at the highest level.[116] Following England's Euro 2024 campaign, Kane engaged directly with media outlets like the BBC, defending his team's performances against criticism from pundits such as Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, whom he urged to recall the pressures of international tournaments.[117] These interactions highlighted his willingness to confront scrutiny head-on, positioning him as a vocal advocate for players amid intense public examination. Kane's public image is largely that of a humble and approachable figure, often portrayed as the quintessential "nice guy" in football. Described by those close to him as a normal, grounded individual from his Chingford roots, he has cultivated a reputation for modesty despite his achievements, with admirers noting his family-oriented demeanor as central to his persona.[118] Kane has emphasized the importance of fatherhood and marriage in interviews, stating that being a dad and husband ranks above his professional success.[119] However, this image has faced occasional pushback, particularly criticism regarding his reliance on penalties for goalscoring; despite a Bundesliga record of 22 consecutive successful penalties since joining Bayern Munich as of November 2025, detractors argue it inflates his output and question his open-play prowess.[120] On social media, Kane boasts over 18 million Instagram followers, using the platform to share personal insights and promote positive causes.[121] Following his 2023 transfer to Bayern Munich, he has posted about mental health, including messages on the benefits of physical activity for wellbeing in 2024 and collaborative content with former teammate Son Heung-min in 2025 offering advice on overcoming adversity.[122] In 2025, media coverage of Kane intensified around his Ballon d'Or prospects and potential transfers. He finished 13th in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings after leading Bayern to the Bundesliga title, which was awarded to Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain in September 2025.[123] As of mid-February 2026, there is no undisputed best soccer player in the world, as such designations are inherently subjective. Power rankings for the 2026 Ballon d'Or race (mid-2025/26 season) often place Harry Kane at #1, followed closely by Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Erling Haaland, and Lamine Yamal, owing to his prolific form across club and international duties.[12][13][14] Transfer rumors linked him to Manchester United in November, with former players like Danny Simpson suggesting Kane would be unlikely to reject a Premier League return to Old Trafford.[68]

Personal life

Family and relationships

Harry Kane has been in a long-term relationship with Kate Goodland, whom he met as a schoolmate at Chingford Foundation School in East London, and they began dating as teenagers around 2007.[124][125] The couple got engaged during a holiday in the Bahamas in July 2017 and married in a private ceremony in June 2019.[126][127] Kane and Goodland have four children: daughters Ivy Jane, born on 8 January 2017, and Vivienne Jane, born in August 2018; and sons Louis Harry, born in May 2020, and Henry Edward, born on 20 August 2023.[128][129][130] The family relocated to Munich, Germany, in late 2023 following Kane's transfer to Bayern Munich, initially with Goodland and the children remaining in England for schooling before joining him in a £30 million mansion in the Bavarian countryside.[131][132] Goodland has played a significant supportive role in Kane's career, including influencing major decisions such as the 2023 move to Bayern, where she prioritized family stability amid the transition.[133][132] The couple maintains a high degree of privacy regarding their personal life, rarely sharing detailed family updates on social media despite Kane's public profile.[134][135] As of November 2025, the family continues to reside in Bavaria, with Goodland pursuing her career as a fitness trainer and supporting Kane's professional commitments.[136][133]

Philanthropy and interests

Kane established the Harry Kane Foundation in 2022 on World Mental Health Day to normalize conversations about mental health, promote positive habits, and combat stigma, with initiatives including resilience programs for children aged seven to eleven.[137] The foundation supports youth access to sports and mental health resources through partnerships with organizations like the Royal British Legion Industries.[138] In 2018, Kane donated electronic gadgets to children at Great Ormond Street Hospital as part of Samsung's "Wishes Can Come True" campaign to enhance their hospital experience.[139] Following England's Euro 2020 final loss, Kane publicly condemned racist abuse directed at teammates Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka on social media, stating that such abusers were not true fans and urging an end to the discrimination.[140] Kane has pursued various personal interests outside football, including golf, where he maintains a handicap of three and has played with professionals like Tiger Woods.[141] He enjoys fishing. Kane also engages in cooking, often focusing on healthy recipes; he has collaborated on dishes like kimchi fried rice and handmade noodles in promotional events emphasizing nutrition.[142] His family occasionally joins him in foundation-related charity events, such as mental health awareness activities.[143] In business, Kane co-directs Edward James Investments Limited with his family, a property firm that has acquired assets in London valued at over £15 million as of 2024.[144] In 2025, Kane expressed support for the England women's national team, the Lionesses, ahead of and following their successful defense of the UEFA Women's Euro title against Spain in a July penalty shoot-out.[145] Kane has appeared on several podcasts to discuss his career and personal insights, including a 2024 BBC interview on resilience and a 2025 Athletic FC episode analyzing his form for England's World Cup qualification.[146][147]

Career statistics and records

Club statistics

Harry Kane's club career statistics detail his contributions across loan spells and permanent contracts at Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich, encompassing all competitions. As of November 14, 2025, he has recorded 615 appearances, 409 goals, and 98 assists in club football, including youth loans that provided early senior experience.[95][8]

Career by Club (All Competitions)

ClubYearsAppearancesGoalsAssists
Leyton Orient (loan)2010–111850
Millwall (loan)2011–122795
Norwich City (loan)2012–13501
Leicester City (loan)2012–131520
Tottenham Hotspur2011–2343528063
Bayern Munich2023–11511329
Total61540998
Loan statistics are included as they represent Kane's initial senior-level exposure in competitive matches.[95][8]

Breakdown by Major Competitions (Senior Career, All Clubs)

Kane's goals and assists are distributed across domestic leagues, cups, and European fixtures, with the majority from Tottenham in the Premier League and Bayern in the Bundesliga.
CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssists
Premier League33821550
Bundesliga879223
FA Cup / DFB-Pokal / Other Domestic Cups62288
UEFA Champions League654811
Other (Supercups, League Cups)65466
Total61742998
These figures highlight Kane's prolific output in top-tier leagues and European competitions, where he has consistently delivered double-digit goals per season.[95][148][7]

Seasonal Breakdown (Selected Seasons, Bayern Munich)

Kane's form at Bayern has been exceptional since his 2023 transfer, with outstanding contributions in the 2025–26 season. As of early February 2026, he has scored 22 goals and provided 4 assists in 20 Bundesliga appearances, tying Kylian Mbappé for the most combined goals and assists (26) in Europe's top five leagues. During this campaign, he reached the milestone of 400 club goals.[95][7]
SeasonAppearancesGoalsAssists
2023–24454412
2024–25544714
2025–26 (as of early February 2026)20224
Total (Bayern)11911330
Note: Statistics for the 2025–26 season are for the Bundesliga only (as of early February 2026), while figures for previous seasons include all competitions.[7][149] Kane has scored more than 20 hat-tricks across his club career, primarily in league matches for Tottenham and Bayern.[95][8]

International statistics

Harry Kane has earned 110 caps for the England senior national team as of November 2025, scoring 76 goals and providing 25 assists, establishing him as England's all-time leading goalscorer.[81] His contributions span friendlies, qualifying campaigns, and major tournaments, with a notable emphasis on penalty kicks, from which he has converted the majority of his international goals.[150] In 2025, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Kane added four goals in five appearances, including a brace against Latvia.[151] The following table summarizes Kane's senior international statistics by competition category:
CategoryAppearancesGoalsAssists
Friendlies20105
Qualifiers (World Cup & Euros)483812
Major Tournaments (World Cup & Euros)30206
UEFA Nations League1282
Total1107625
[81][150] In major tournaments, Kane's standout performances include six goals at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he led England to the semi-finals and won the Golden Boot, four goals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, four goals at UEFA Euro 2020 (co-Golden Boot winner), and three goals at UEFA Euro 2024.[81][150] At youth level, Kane represented England across various age groups, accumulating 31 appearances and 15 goals overall.[152] His most prolific spell came with the under-21 team, where he scored 12 goals in 12 appearances, including two at the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[152]

Notable records and milestones

Harry Kane holds the record as Tottenham Hotspur's all-time leading goalscorer with 280 goals across all competitions during his time at the club from 2009 to 2023.[153] Since joining Bayern Munich in August 2023, he achieved a historic milestone by becoming the fastest player in the top five European leagues era to reach 100 goals for a new club, accomplishing this feat in just over two years by September 2025.[154] In October 2025, Kane scored his 400th career club goal in a Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund, marking a significant personal benchmark in his professional journey.[58] On the international stage, Kane stands as England's all-time top goalscorer with 76 goals in 110 appearances as of November 2025.[83] He earned the Golden Boot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup with six goals, leading England to the semi-finals and becoming only the second Englishman after Gary Lineker to win the award.[155] Kane also topped the scoring charts at UEFA Euro 2020 with four goals, contributing to England's run to the final.[155] At Euro 2024, he shared the Golden Boot honor with three goals, tying with five other players as joint top scorer.[156] Among his individual accolades, Kane secured the Premier League Golden Boot on three occasions—in the 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2020–21 seasons—joining an elite group of players to achieve this feat multiple times.[157] In his debut Bundesliga campaign with Bayern in 2023–24, he won the European Golden Shoe with 36 league goals, the highest total across Europe's top divisions that season.[158] Kane also recorded eight hat-tricks in the Premier League, a mark that places him among the competition's most prolific performers in that category.[159] Key milestones in Kane's career include reaching his 200th goal for Tottenham in November 2020 during a Europa League match against Ludogorets Razgrad.[160] Internationally, he hit his 50th goal for England in June 2022, scoring a late penalty in a 1–1 draw with Germany during the UEFA Nations League.[161] As of March 6, 2026, Kane has scored a total of 72 goals in the UEFA Champions League, comprising 45 during his time at Tottenham Hotspur and 27 with Bayern Munich (8 in 2023–24, 11 in 2024–25, and 8 in 2025–26 up to February 25, 2026). No additional Champions League matches for Bayern Munich occurred between late February and March 6, 2026, as the next round of 16 first legs are scheduled for March 10–11, 2026.[155]

References

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