Tottenham star Micky van de Ven reveals heartbreaking reason behind choice to wear No37 shirt at Spurs

TOTTENHAM defender Micky van de Ven has revealed why he chose to wear No37 when joining the club.

The 22-year-old joined Spurs in a £43million transfer from Wolfsburg last summer.

AlamyMicky van de Ven has revealed why he wears No37[/caption]

He quickly established himself as a crucial first team player before suffering a hamstring injury against Chelsea in November.

Van de Ven returned to action last month, making his 13th Premier League appearance.

But he raised eyebrows upon his arrival in North London when he chose to wear No37 rather than a traditional centre-back’s number.

The Dutchman recently revealed that he picked the number for a sentimental reason.

He said: “With a friend of mine, he passed away when we were younger, and it was always his favourite number.

“So when I had the opportunity to choose No37 when I signed for Tottenham… to be honest, it’s for him.”

Van de Ven was one of several summer arrivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last year.

Alejo Veliz, Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Manor Solomon, and Brennan Johnson also joined the club.

Ange Postecoglou‘s side currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, three points behind Arsenal.

They face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.