Tottenham have completed the signing of young midfielder Archie Gray from Leeds.
The 18-year-old joins the north London club in a deal worth around £25-30million, with Joe Rodon – who spent last season on loan at Leeds – moving permanently to Elland Road in the opposite direction on a four-year contract.
Gray has signed a six-year contract with Spurs and will wear the number 14 shirt.
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Michael Bridge explains Archie Gray transfer saga after he signed for Tottenham instead of Brentford
Spurs beat London rivals Brentford to Gray’s signature after Leeds rejected an initial £35million offer from the Bees on Saturday, despite Gray being given permission to undergo a medical with Thomas Frank’s side.
But Gray moves to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where he will have the chance to play European football next season after Spurs qualified for the Europa League.
The England U21 international becomes Ange Postecoglou’s second summer signing after Timo Werner joined the club on loan from RB Leipzig.
Gray enjoyed a stellar season at Elland Road, making 52 appearances in all competitions as Leeds lost in the Championship play-off final to Southampton – a game in which he played the full 90 minutes.
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Archie Gray scored a crucial goal in Leeds’ win over Leicester last season…
He is the son of former Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Burnley striker Andy Gray, and made his first first-team appearance three months before his 16th birthday, when he was named on the bench for a Premier League match with Arsenal in December 2021.
Leeds heartbroken after losing Gray to Spurs
Leeds admitted they were “heartbroken” to lose their academy graduate but were forced to sell him after Tottenham activated a release clause following the Whites’ failure to secure promotion to the Championship.
A Leeds statement read: “Leeds United can confirm that Archie Gray has completed a permanent transfer to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee, after the north London side met a release clause triggered by the club’s failure to gain promotion at the first attempt.
“Recognising the lure of the Premier League and European football, the club, with a heavy heart, agreed to the transfer, but this decision has strengthened the board’s determination to finally return Leeds to a position where it can fulfil the footballing ambitions of its brightest stars.
“While we understand that supporters will be extremely disappointed to lose such homegrown talent and a household name so synonymous with Leeds United, this decision improves the club’s chances of competing for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to field a competitive squad within the league’s financial control regulations.
“Everyone at Leeds United is devastated to see one of our own leave and would like to thank Archie for all his hard work and professionalism. He leaves with every wish for success in his future career and knowing that Leeds will always be his home.”
Why Tottenham chose Gray, Leeds’ jersey
On Saturday afternoon it emerged that Archie Gray was set to make a surprise move to Brentford, after personal terms were agreed between the teenager and the west London club.
But by Sunday morning Tottenham had become favourites and they have now signed one of the country’s brightest young prospects – and Leeds are facing an incredible reduction in personnel. This situation will hurt for a long time.
But why is Gray – who, due to safety regulations, had to use a separate dressing room from his team-mates before he turned 18 in March – being courted by Premier League clubs? Here we look at the story of his budding career…
THE Summer transfer window 2024 in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on 30th August at 11pm UK time in England and 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership have brought forward the deadline to link up with other major European leagues. The deadlines were set following discussions with leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
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Stay up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated section The Transfer Center Blog on Sky Sports digital platforms. You can also keep up to date with the ins, outs and analyses on Sky Sports News.
