Spurs’ newest signing will have wound up his ex-footballer dad with this role models comment

A familiar name could soon find its way onto a Tottenham Hotspur teamsheet, after the club confirmed the signing of Teemu Tainio's teenage son Maximus last month.

Teemu played more than 80 times for the North London club, scoring three Premier League goals including a crucial equaliser in the memorable 4-3 victory over West Ham United in 2007. And now Maximus, a Finland Under-16 international, has linked up with Spurs' youth team after joining from HJK Helsinki. The youngster enjoys a good relationship with his old man, who he says has helped him a lot in his fledgling career. However, in the same interview with Finnish TV station Huuhkaja, he said something which might not make Teemu quite so happy.

Teemu Taino (L) played for Spurs from 2005-2008 (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

"Dad has been involved in and supported me throughout my life in football," he said, as transcribed by Palloliitto. "He is to me the second-biggest role model, not the first. Fernandinho of Manchester City is good, number one." Can you imagine, for example, Kasper Schmeichel putting his dad Peter as a number two role model behind a current Premier League goalkeeper? No, us either. Catch up with this week's episode of 888sport Football Friday Live