Yinka Ilori reveals Tottenham Hotspur away shirt
British-Nigerian designer Yinka Ilori has collaborated with Nike to create a customised version of Premier League football team Tottenham Hotspur’s colourful away shirt.
Ilori reimagined the colourful away shirt, which has a pattern with “never-before-seen visuals inspired by never-before-seen destinations”, by adding a graphic to the front and back.
On the front, in the position the sponsor logo is usually located, Ilori designed a circular motif combining the football club’s initials – THFC – with an abbreviation for London and the postcode for Tottenham, LDN17.
The lettering is bright orange with a white background.
On the rear of the shirt, Ilori created a graphic in his typical playful style around the letters COYS, which stands for Come On You Spurs.
Encircling the letters are the words “I know I am, I’m sure I am”, with the words “We are Tottenham wherever we go” around the whole graphic.
All of the lettering uses Ilori’s custom typeface, which was designed by type foundry British Standard Type for the designer in 2024.
According to the designer, who grew up in north London where the Populous-designed Tottenham Hotspur stadium is located, the collaboration aims to demonstrate the power of football to unite people.
“This project is a celebration of belonging and the power of football to bring people together,” said Ilori.
“For me, football is about the wider culture and the incredible sense of unity that comes from standing on the terraces, chanting alongside thousands of others,” he continued.
“I wanted the design to honour Tottenham Hotspur’s heritage while capturing that collective joy and spirit. The ‘Never Far From Home’ message really resonated with me, reflecting how football has the power to make you feel at home, wherever you are.”
The shirt is the latest design from the designer who has recently collaborated with brands including Brabantia and Veuve Clicquot.
Ilori also recently created a homeware and furniture collection for department store Dunelm.
Photography courtesy of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club