Dele Alli will no longer have 'Alli' on the back of his shirt. Getty Images

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli will wear "Dele" on the back of his shirt this season because he feels "no connection" with his surname.

Alli, 20, was raised by his English mother until he was 13, when social services threatened to remove him and he moved in with family friends.

The PFA Young Player of the Year's father is Nigerian and currently lives in the United States.

Alli, who will retain the number 20, wore his surname on his shirt last season but explained why he wanted to make a change.

"I wanted a name on my shirt that represented who I am and I feel I have no connection with the Alli surname," the player said.

"This is not a decision I have taken without a lot of thought and discussion with family close to me."

Manchester United's Memphis Depay is among the players who wear his first name on his shirt.

The Dutch winger's father left his mother when he was a child.