Djed Spence reflects on Peckham beginnings and admiration for Ronaldo

Djed Spence has looked back on his childhood in Peckham, his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and the part Steve Cooper played in his development. Now playing for Inter, he also spoke about his experience in Italy and the memories surrounding his first steps in football.

Spence said his beginnings were far removed from the professional game. “I come from Peckham, a neighbourhood in south London. That’s where I started playing. I think the first place I kicked a ball wasn’t a proper pitch, but Peckham Rye Park,” he recalled. When he played for Peckham Town, he tried to copy Cristiano Ronaldo. He remembers his first goal in particular: a bicycle kick, followed by so much energy that he ran around the pitch without stopping.

He said his ambition was clear from his earliest experiences on a pitch. “I always wanted to be a footballer. I realised that from the first time I set foot on a pitch,” Spence said.

Steve Cooper later became one of the important figures in his development during a defining spell at Nottingham Forest. Spence links that period to promotion to the Premier League. “With Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest, we won promotion to the Premier League, the first truly important victory of my career,” he said.

His account also turns to his life in Italy, where he now plays for Inter and has spoken positively about his experiences. He named Ronaldo, known as “Il Fenomeno”, as his favourite player in Inter’s history. “I really like Italy. When I played at Genoa, I was struck by the positive vibes of the country, the climate and the excellent food,” he said. His earlier experience in Serie A informs his appreciation of Italian football and, since joining Inter, he appears to have settled comfortably in the country.

From Peckham, where he grew up, to one of Italy’s major clubs, Spence still carries memories of his early surroundings, the players who inspired him and Cooper’s influence. His interview connects those childhood recollections with his current journey at Inter.