Young started his career with Tottenham Hotspur's youth system and signed a professional contract on 3 July 1997. George Graham gave him his first-team debut on 28 November 1998, playing the full 90 minutes of a 2–1 loss at West Ham, alongside Sol Campbell in the centre of defence. He hit a 25-yard volley which was saved by Shaka Hislop. Young made appearances in the 1998–99 League Cup, but was an unused substitute for the final at Wembley Stadium, which Tottenham won 1–0 against Leicester City on 21 March 1999. He was also present in the team's run through the rounds of the FA Cup, in which they lost after extra time to Newcastle United in the semi-finals.