<p>Jermain Defoe is the subject of a new soccer documentary coming via theatrical release in the UK on Feb. 29 this year. Defoe, a popular soccer figure in England, made over <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/former-spurs-and-england-star-jermain-defoe-retires-20220324-CMS-376933.html">750 appearances</a> as a professional in England, Scotland and Canada. The bulk of those came with Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored an outstanding 143 goals. That ranks him seventh all-time behind the likes of Harry Kane, Jimmy Greaves and Son Heung-min. As with any star of this success level, Defoe was regularly under the spotlight of the public eye, which led to both positives and negatives.</p>



<p>Now, fans will have the opportunity to relive Defoe’s wild career, both on and off the pitch. <em>DEFOE</em> is the documentary that is coming out later this month for one night in theaters. Then, it will become available on streaming. <em>DEFOE</em> features interviews with the star striker and his family. However, several other notable faces in the English soccer scene make an appearance. For example, the trailer shows Joe Cole and Peter Crouch, two of Defoe’s teammates with the England national team. Also, Harry Redknapp is part of the documentary. Redknapp was the manager of both West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.</p>



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<p>The production for the documentary says the life of Jermain Defoe on the pitch and the stardom there contrasts a life of tragedy off the pitch. From humble beginnings, Defoe quickly ascended the ranks in soccer. Redknapp tipped Defoe for success as a young player. That contributed to Defoe’s move to London with Tottenham after over 100 appearances with West Ham.</p>



<h2>Jermain Defoe documentary includes portion on Bradley Lowery</h2>



<p>Modern fans associate Jermain Defoe with Bradley Lowery, the young Sunderland fan who passed away after a battle against neuroblastoma. Defoe developed a remarkable connection with Lowery during his time at the Stadium of Light. The Englishman walked out with Bradley before games and included Bradley in training and warm-ups with the Sunderland squad. Also, Bradley walked out with Defoe when he returned to the England national team in 2017. Unfortunately, Bradley passed away in July 2017, and Defoe was visibly moved at the 6-year-old’s passing.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240212_WST_489083_Defoe-Bradley-1200x670_f92b62fb.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-489107" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Defoe-Bradley-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Defoe-Bradley-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Defoe-Bradley-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Defoe-Bradley.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Defoe’s success as a player</h2>



<p>Outside of his popularity off the pitch, Defoe is regarded as one of the most consistent strikers in the recent history of the Premier League. Defoe had 10 seasons with at least 10 goals in the Premier League. The best of those was in the 2009/10 season when the Englishman scored 18 goals for Tottenham. Defoe finished the season in a tie for sixth in the Premier League scoring charts that season.</p>



<p>When Defoe was outside of England, he found success elsewhere. That started with a move to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/jermain-defoe-wants-to-coach-toronto-fc-20230730-WST-446495.html">Major League Soccer with Toronto FC</a>. Defoe scored 12 goals in all competitions with the Canadian side to lead the team in scoring. That was not enough for Toronto to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs that season. Then, after <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/why-rescuing-jermain-defoe-from-mls-is-good-business-for-sunderland-20150119-CMS-127211.html">returning to England</a> with Bournemouth and Sunderland, Defoe scored 25 goals in 54 appearances with Scottish side Rangers. He was a part of the squad that won the Scottish premiership in 2020/21. Despite his work as a player, that was the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/defoe-receives-league-cup-medal-10-years-after-spurs-win-20181224-CMS-260135.html">only trophy Defoe won</a> as a player. Individually, he was named as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his charitable work.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

Trailer for Jermain Defoe documentary chronicles life journey

Jermain Defoe is the subject of a new soccer documentary coming via theatrical release in the UK on Feb. 29 this year.


<p>Some people were surprised, and others were excited in early 2014 when it was announced that English striker Jermain Defoe would join Toronto FC of Major League Soccer (MLS).</p>



<p>Toronto FC had hoped to add star power and goal-scoring abilities when they signed Defoe, known for his brilliance in front of goal and remarkable tenure at teams like Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth.</p>



<p>The Toronto faithful were treated to a spectacular introduction to Defoe. His rumored $7.7 million transfer was part of a “Bloody Big Deal” marketing effort, which signaled the club’s intent to become a significant power in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a>.</p>



<h5>Defoe’s tenure at Toronto was short</h5>



<p>Defoe played 19 games for Toronto, scoring 11 goals. He became a fan favorite because of his uncanny ability to score when put in the best position to do so. Although he missed considerable time throughout the season due to a recurring groin problem, he still achieved an impressive goal-scoring average.</p>



<p>There were difficulties throughout the season, however. There was curiosity regarding his future with the club after the injury limited his participation and there was a rumor of a gap between him and former manager Ryan Nelsen. </p>



<p>Defoe’s MLS experience was further marred by the fact that Toronto FC missed the playoffs despite high expectations.</p>



<p>With the end of the 2014 campaign, Defoe’s stint in Canada ended. His brief time in Major League Soccer was cut short after signing with Sunderland in the summer. Both promise and disappointment marked the striker’s tenure.</p>



<h5>Ex-player now wants to coach Reds one day</h5>



<p>Last year, the now-40-year-old decided to retire. In a new podcast series for <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0f09p9z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC Radio 5 Live</a>, Jermain Defoe discusses his life beyond soccer and his hopes of one day managing the BMO Field side.</p>



<p>”I’d love to manage Toronto. Amazing facilities, amazing fans. The city was… I said to everyone, ‘You’ve got to go to Toronto’. I loved it. They loved Canadian people. If someone says we found out I had an opportunity to manage, to go over there and do coach or whatever it was, I would love to go back over there.”</p>



<p>“So if I got an opportunity to manage abroad, of course, you have you weigh it all up and you know pros and cons stuff like, but it’s not something that I want to say no, I’ll never do it. It just depends on the, depends on the club, depends on the project, and stuff. But yeah, of course, I’ll do that. If it’s going to help me to get to where I need to get to, then I’ll do it. To get to the top.”</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / Xinhua</p>


Jermain Defoe, a former Toronto player who retired from the sport a year ago, has stated his intention to become a Reds coach one day.

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Trailer for Jermain Defoe documentary chronicles life journey

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Jermain Defoe wants to coach Toronto FC