Tottenham Hotspur have announced that midfielder James Maddison has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
The injury occurred during a recent pre-season fixture against Newcastle United in Seoul. Maddison went down in visible pain without any contact and was stretchered off late in the match.
Following medical checks, Spurs confirmed the serious nature of the injury. The club revealed that the midfielder will undergo surgery in the next few days.
Maddison’s absence is a significant setback for Tottenham, especially after the departure of Heung-min Son this summer.
Setback for new season preparations
Maddison had only just returned to action under new manager Thomas Frank, after missing the final part of last season with a different knee issue.
The 28-year-old had been working his way back to full fitness before this fresh blow. He featured in the club’s recent friendlies and was expected to play a key role in midfield.
This long-term injury now rules him out of a significant portion of the upcoming campaign.
Maddison has become a key figure at Spurs since joining from Leicester City in 2023.
He has also been part of the England set-up, earning seven international caps. His most recent appearance came in 2024.
Tottenham will now need to plan for life without one of their most creative players as the new season approaches.
The timing of the injury, combined with other squad changes, presents an early challenge for Frank in his first season in charge.
