Jordan Spence

Jordan James Spence (born 24 May 1990) is a former English professional footballer who last played for ADO Den Haag in the Eredivisie.

Predominantly a right-back, Spence can also operate as a centre-back.

He has represented and captained England at various youth levels.

He has previously played for West Ham United, Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe United, Bristol City, Sheffield Wednesday, Milton Keynes Dons and Ipswich Town.

Spence joined West Ham United in 2004.

In April 2006, he signed a contract as a full-time youth team academy player for the 2006–07 season, and made his reserve team debut that same month.

He has captained the England national team at every youth level.

Before making his debut for West Ham, he made his professional club debut for Leyton Orient in their FA Cup second round match at Bradford City on 29 November 2008 having signed on loan on 25 November.

This looked to be his only match for Leyton Orient as he returned to Upton Park on 5 January 2009, but he returned to Orient on 23 January and stayed until the end of the season.

His Football League debut came in the 2–1 away defeat by Scunthorpe United on 24 January 2009.

Spence signed for Scunthorpe United on a one months loan on 17 August 2009 making his debut on 18 August in a 2–0 home defeat by Middlesbrough.

At the end of December 2009 his loan ended and he returned to West Ham having played eleven times for Scunthorpe.

On 9 May 2010, Spence made his first team debut for West Ham, coming on in the 86th minute for Alessandro Diamanti, in a 1–1 home draw against Manchester City.

On 29 August Spence's loan at Scunthorpe was extended until 1 January 2010.

On 30 March, this loan was extended until the end of the 2010–11 season.

Spence made his first start for West Ham on 15 May 2011 in a 3–2 away defeat by Wigan Athletic, a game which saw West Ham relegated.

On 3 March 2011, Spence signed on a 28-day loan for Championship side Bristol City, making his debut on 5 March in the 4–1 away victory over Coventry City.

On 4 May 2011, West Ham manager Avram Grant recalled Spence for him to provide back-up for defenders for the Premier League season run-in.

On 3 August 2011, Spence rejoined Bristol City for a season-long loan, with the option for West Ham to recall him from January 2012.

Spence's first game after signing for the club on loan for the second time came in the opening game of the season, in a 3–0 loss against Ipswich Town.

However, Spence's playing time was soon reduced under the management of Derek McInnes and was an un-used substitute bench for two matches before being left out of the squad for three months.

In the 2012–13 season, Spence appeared in the club's first team on seven occasions, though he spent most of the season playing in the club's reserve team.

Spence made his first appearance of the season in the second round of League Cup, in a 2–0 win over Crewe Alexandra on 28 August 2012, and then made his first league appearance of the season, coming on as substitute for James Tomkins in the late second-half, in a 4–1 win over Southampton on 20 October 2012.

In April 2012, Spence returned to West Ham having played 10 games for Bristol City.

After nine years with the club, Spence was released at the end of the 2013–14 season.

On 31 August 2013, Spence signed on an emergency loan for Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

On the same day, Spence made his Sheffield Wednesday debut, where he made his first start, in a 1–1 draw against Middlesbrough.

Spence played four games for Sheffield Wednesday before returning to West Ham United at the end of September 2013.

Spence joined Milton Keynes Dons on a one-month loan on 24 October 2013.

He made his debut on 26 October in a 3–2 away defeat by Tranmere Rovers.

Although Spence gave away a penalty, manager Karl Robinson described Spence's debut as "wonderful".

He scored his first career goal at club level on 26 November 2013 in a 3–1 away defeat by Colchester United.

Spence went on to finish the 2013–14 season, making twenty-nine appearances and scoring two times.

After their relegation, Spence signed a new contract with the club, keeping him there until 2014.

After playing 12 games for Milton Keynes Dons, Spence returned to West Ham in January 2014.

On 30 January 2014, Spence re-joined Milton Keynes Dons on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season.

Spence's first game after signing for the club on loan for the second time came on 1 February 2014, in a 1–0 loss against Tranmere Rovers, the same club he played against for the first time.

Spence scored for the club for the second time this season, in a 3–2 win over Stevenage on 22 March 2014.

Despite interests from Championship clubs, it was announced on 21 August 2014, Spence joined Milton Keynes Dons on a permanent deal, signing a one-year contract with a further option of extending for another year.

Spence's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came on 31 August 2014, coming on as a substitute for Dean Bowditch in the 72nd minute, in a 2–0 loss against Crawley Town.