Tottenham release call on Dante Cassanova harsh as Destiny Udogie and others react

Dante Cassanova has taken to Instagram to send an emotional message marking his release from Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham announced their retained list for the conclusion of the 2025-26 season earlier this week.

It confirmed that 11 players will be leaving Spurs this summer, including first-team star Yves Bissouma.

Cassanova was among the 10 academy players announced to be leaving when the summer transfer window opens, with the 21-year-old having been with Spurs since he was a schoolboy.

A versatile defender, he penned his first professional contract with the Lilywhites in 2023, but has never made a competitive senior appearance for the Club.

Tottenham may well have made a mistake releasing him though, as his performances for the Under-21s last season were largely very strong.

What did Dante Cassanova say on Tottenham release?

After being with Tottenham for many years now, this release will undoubtedly hurt for Cassanova.

Despite being on the first-team fringes over the last few years, he's been unable to really break into the senior picture.

Now at the age where he needs to be playing senior football on a regular basis, this decision by Tottenham will allow him to go and kick-start his professional career elsewhere.

Taking to his Instagram account after the news was confirmed, Cassanova penned a heartfelt message to Tottenham, and is clearly ready to go and find success with a new team.

"Thank you to everyone at Tottenham for the support, guidance, and memories over the years," he said.

"I’ll always be grateful for the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had here. 

"As one chapter closes, I’m excited for what lies ahead and ready for the next challenge. Wishing everyone at the club the very best for the future."

A host of Tottenham players liked Cassanova's post, including Callum Olusesi, Mikey Moore, Rio Kyerematen and Will Lankshear respectively.

So did first-team star Destiny Udogie, and the Italian defender went a step further by wishing him well in the comments.

"My brother! Go time," said the Tottenham left-back.

How did Cassanova perform for Spurs in 2025-26?

Whilst Cassanova's release is an understandable one from Tottenham's perspective given his age and lack of senior experience, it is a harsh one based on his 2025-26 campaign.

He turned out 21 times for Spurs in Premier League 2 last term, scoring once and providing four assists.

But it's his underlying numbers that truly paint the picture of just how well he performed for the Under-21s last season.

As per FotMob, Cassanova registered a pass success rate of 89.6 per cent, played 56 accurate long balls and created 19 chances respectively.

Meanwhile, he also took 1,424 touches, won 24 tackles, made 21 interceptions and 69 recoveries, with a total number of defensive contributions of 101.

His big trait is his versatility, being able to play anywhere across the backline as well as a comfortable operator in central midfield as a six or an eight respectively. That is always a handy trait.

So, off the back of what was probably Cassanova's best individual season in Tottenham's academy and primed for a pre-season chance, he now heads for the free agent market.

With numerous defenders away at the World Cup and with the season he's just had, Spurs may just rue not giving Cassanova another 12 months in N17.