Why Harry Kane is not at the Europa League final tonight as former Tottenham teammate reunites with squad

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Tottenham’s squad reunited with a former star striker ahead of their massive Europa League final in Bilbao this evening.

But it wasn’t club icon and all-time top goalscorer Harry Kane.

Instead, Spurs’ stars were filmed delightedly greeting ex-forward Fernando Llorente, who met up with the team on Tuesday.

Captain Heung-min Son and Ben Davies were filmed hugging and laughing with the Spaniard, chanting his name together.

Llorente played 66 games for the club, including an appearance off the bench in the last European final Spurs reached - the Champions League final in 2019.

The striker, who is also a legend in Bilbao, played second-fiddle to Kane throughout his Tottenham career, but it’s the other way around for this game.

He’s going to be supporting the club, while their former captain won’t be at the Europa League showpiece, keeping an eye from afar…

Why is Kane not at the Europa League final?

Kane will not be in Bilbao as he’s on holiday.

The Bayern Munich frontman finally ended his long trophy drought this season and is now taking some well-earned time away.

But he found time alongside the celebrations to send a message to his old Spurs teammates, as they look to end their title drought too.

“A bit strange for me to be watching as a fan,” Kane said. "But you know I am wishing them all the best.

"The fans deserve to have that joy, that celebration that they have been waiting for, for a long time now.”

He has been in the minds of his ex-teammates too, as Son, who built a special relationship with Kane on the pitch and off it, has spoken about him leading up to the Europa League final.

In his press conference this week, the Spurs skipper said: "Everybody knows Harry is my best mate.

"It was a huge honour playing alongside him. After he won the first title, we had a chat about his trophy.”

He added: "He is already on holiday, so he doesn't have to text me. I just concentrate myself with the boys.

“Harry will be the biggest Spurs fan tomorrow, I'm definitely sure he will be supporting us from holiday."

The Europa League final will kick off at 8pm this evening at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game from Spain, presented by Adrian Durham.

Commentary will be provided by Jim Proudfoot and former England striker Dean Ashton.

talkSPORT.com will also be on hand for all the latest news and build-up, including a live match blog for all the updates on the night.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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