Tottenham Hotspur have signed midfielder Archie Gray from Leeds United, the club have announced.
ESPN reported on Monday that Tottenham had agreed a fee in the region of £25m-£30m as part of a cash-plus-player deal which will see defender Joe Rodon move the other way.
Gray had been close to joining Brentford and travelled down to London last weekend ahead of a proposed medical but the move collapsed after the two clubs failed to agree a payment structure.
Spurs moved quickly to capitalise and the 18-year-old has signed a six-year contract, taking the No. 14 shirt.
“I’m really excited. It’s obviously a massive club and an opportunity that I couldn’t really turn down,” Gray said.
“I’m just really excited to play and get started with the team. It hasn’t really sunk in to be honest and I don’t think it will for the next few days.
“Until we’ve played a few games and I’ve got to meet everyone, it won’t have sunk in. I’m just really excited and looking forward to it. It’s a massive opportunity for me so I’m really excited.”
Gray, an England Under-21 international, made 52 appearances across all competitions last season as Leeds missed out on promotion from the Championship after losing the play-off final 1-0 to Southampton in May.
“When Spurs came and I had the opportunity to play in the Champions League eventually and Europa League this year I couldn’t really say no,” Gray said.
“I know so many players that are here, not so much the first team but the young lads and another thing is that it’s a massive project under Ange and it’s something that I want to be a part of.
“I’m not going to lie to you, I’m a massive Celtic fan so I love him and my whole family loves him. I haven’t really said this to be fair.
“He’s also a massive factor because playing under a really good manager is really important for me as well. I’ve still got loads to learn because I’m only 18 so it’s really important.”
Rodon joined Tottenham from Swansea City in October 2020 for an initial £11m fee but struggled to impose himself, starting just eight Premier League games.
The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at Leeds, where he made 50 appearances.
Tottenham have already made Timo Werner’s loan move from Red Bull Leipzig permanent while Lucas Bergvall officially joined the club yesterday after agreeing a move from Swedish side Djurgarden in February.
