Former Portsmouth, Spurs and Sunderland man reaches 800 games - and marks it with Rangers goal

And he marked the landmark against Ross County by netting in Rangers’ 4-0 victory yesterday.

That strike – his fourth of the season – arrived 20 years and 78 days after scoring on his senior debut.

Since then, Defoe has amassed 322 career goals, including 17 during his time at Fratton Park.

The ex-England man’s Pompey career ended in controversy when he orchestrated a return to Spurs, much to the anger of then-Blues boss Tony Adams.

In an interview with The News in May, Adams revealed he felt Defoe's display against West Ham showed he had been ‘tapped up’ by the North London club.

Still, Defoe, netted 17 times in 36 appearances on the south coast before his year-long stay ended in January 2009.

Incidentally, Defoe was cup-tied for the triumphant march to the 2008 FA Cup final, when Harry Redknapp’s men beat Cardiff to claim the trophy.

It was Redknapp who would then take the striker back to White Hart Lane, for a fee of £16m.

Defoe’s career began at West Ham, netting on his debut in a League Cup game at Walsall in September 2000.

The following month he joined Bournemouth on loan, netting on his Football League bow at Stoke in October 2000.

During his career, Defoe also represented Spurs, Pompey, Toronto, Sunderland and now Rangers.

Currently aged 38, he has scored four goals in eight appearances this season.

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