Archie Gray gives his first interview as a Tottenham player with Leeds saying in a statement that they have been left heartbroken.
Spurs complete the signing of the 18 year old midfielder for a reported fee of around £30m, with defender Joe Rodon moving in the opposite direction in a deal worth approximately £10m.
Gray has penned a contract with Spurs that will keep him at the club until 2030, with Leeds saying that Tottenham activated a release clause after the club failed to win promotion at the first attempt.
The transfer is believed to have helped Leeds adhere to profit and sustainability (PSR) regulations after losing the Championship playoff final to Southampton, which resulted in the need to offload players.
Tottenham outbid Brentford for Gray, who made 52 matches across all competitions for Leeds last season, playing as a midfielder and as a right-back.
He was due undergoing a medical at Brentford’s training ground, but Leeds had disagreements over payment structure and add-ons on Sunday, with the deal being turned down.
📰 Heartbroken to see one of our own depart, Archie Gray leaves with the best wishes of everyone at #LUFC, as he joins Tottenham
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 2, 2024
LEEDS STATEMENT:
Leeds United can confirm Archie Gray has completed a permanent transfer to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee, after the North London outfit met a release clause that was triggered by the club’s failure to get promoted at the first attempt.
Gray progressed through the ranks of the Academy at Thorp Arch and became involved with the first team setup at the age of just 15, when he was named on the bench for the Whites against Arsenal in the top-flight in 2021.
He subsequently went on to make his senior debut in last season’s Sky Bet Championship opener against Cardiff City at Elland Road, aged 17.
Going on to become a mainstay and thriving in the side under manager Daniel Farke at right-back, he played a key role in helping the Whites reach the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final.
Throughout his time at the club, Gray also featured on the international stage, earning 24 caps for England at youth level, from Under-15s to Under 21s.
He now departs having made a total of 52 first team appearances for the Whites in all competitions.
Understanding the attraction of Premier League and European football, the club, with a heavy heart, agreed the transfer, but the move has strengthened the board’s resolve to ultimately return Leeds to a position where it can meet the footballing ambitions of even its brightest stars.
Whilst we understand that supporters will be hugely disappointed to lose such a home-grown talent, and a family name so synonymous with Leeds United, the move improves the club’s chance to compete for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive squad within the league’s financial control regulations.
Everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own depart and would like to thank Archie for all his efforts and professionalism. He leaves with the very best wishes for his future career and in the knowledge that Leeds will always be his home.
We are delighted to announce the signing of Archie Gray from Leeds United 🙌
Welcome to Tottenham Hotspur, Archie! 🤍
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 2, 2024
🎙️ “I’m really excited, it’s a massive Club and it’s an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.”
Archie is ready to get started in Lilywhite 🤍 pic.twitter.com/OC0W7F1sZB
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 2, 2024
TOTTENHAM STATEMENT:
We are delighted to announce the signing of Archie Gray from Leeds United.
The versatile midfielder has signed a contract that will run until 2030 and will wear the number 14 shirt.
Born in Durham, Archie joined Leeds at Under-9 level and after progressing well through their Academy system, picked up his first involvement with their first team in 2021 at the age of just 15, when he was part of their matchday squad in the Premier League.
After winning promotion with Leeds’ Under-21s at the end of the 2022/23 season, he made his senior competitive debut on the opening day of the 2023/24 EFL Championship campaign and starred throughout last term in central midfield and at right-back, making 52 appearances in all competitions as Leeds reached the play-off final at Wembley. His performances led to him being named Championship Young Player of the Season.
Still only 18 years of age, Archie is part of the Gray footballing dynasty at Leeds – his father Andy, grandfather Frank and great uncle Eddie all notably played for the club – while on the international stage, he has represented England throughout the younger age groups, where he has played alongside a number of our own Academy starlets.
He made his first appearances for the Young Lions’ Under-21s earlier this year in European Championship qualifying victories against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg, scoring on his debut against the former.
HIS INTERVIEW:
“Yeah, really excited. You know, it’s obviously a massive club and an opportunity that I couldn’t really turn down and I’m just really excited to play and, you know, get started with the team.
“So, yeah, it still hasn’t sunk in, to be honest, and I don’t think we will for the next few days and until we’ve played a few games, until I’ve got to meet everyone at what sunk in and I’m just really excited and looking forward to it and it’s a massive opportunity for me.
“So I’m really excited. When Spurs came and I had the opportunity to play and play in the Champions League eventually in the Europa League this year, you know, I couldn’t really say no.
“I’ve known so many players that are here and not so much the first team but the young lads and obviously another thing, it’s a massive project under, under Ange and it’s something that I want to be part of.
“I’m not going to lie to you, I’m a massive Celtic fan so I love him and my whole family is.
“My whole family loves him and, you know, I didn’t really. 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 and I’ve still got loads to learn because I’m only 18 so, yeah, really important.
“Obviously, I see myself as a midfielder as my ideal position, but I don’t put myself down to one position and I think I’m a versatile player and I can play in a lot of positions on the pitch, which is really effective when you’ve got so many competitions and so many games this year and, you know, you don’t want to have too big of a squad and I think it can be really, really helpful for the team being really versatile and I’m not bothered where I play.
“I’m just going to give 100% and that’s all that matters really, and try to perform my best here. There’s so many huge names and to be honest, I’m just really grateful that I’ll be able to train with them every day and I just want to show them why they’ve signed me and show them my worth and hopefully I’ll be able to get playing with them on the pitch and I just can’t wait to train with them and get to know them, obviously.
“I’m just really grateful for the opportunity and like I said, they’re all massive players and just can’t wait to meet them.
“So yeah, I think there’s loads of things I’ve got to learn and, you know, I think part of the Premier League would suit me more than some of the Championship would and I think, like I said, I think I’m ready for it and I think the fitness side of it suits my game so much and the technical aspects of it I think it really suits me as well.
“I think quite a lot of it suits me, but there’s obviously loads of things when I need to start learning and I need to do it in preseason and I need to get ready for.
“Obviously it’s a different league and I need to get ready for that, but I’m hoping that I’ll be able to learn really quickly and perform to my best every game.
“I’m just hoping to play as many games as I can and help push the team on even more and if it’s in training every day, being as competitive as I can, pushing the players and trying to get into the team ultimately at start trying to stay in the team and we’ve got a really strong connection with the fans and that was massive at Leeds, and this club has got the same thing going on and that is really important for me.
“So I want to create a strong bond with the fans and with the club so I’m just really looking forward to that.”
HIS MESSAGE TO LEEDS
“I can’t thank everyone at Leeds United enough for the past 11 years, from all the coaches I’ve had from when I first came at seven years old, to all the coaching staff now.
“I have enjoyed every second of my time at the club and have so many memories for life, from watching in the stands to playing on the pitch.
“I would also like to say a massive thank you to all of the managers I have had, but especially Daniel Farke for trusting me this year and giving me the opportunity to play and teaching me so much about the game.
“I am so grateful for him and all the coaching staff. Along the way I have made great friends for life and I am also grateful for every teammate I’ve been with from the age of seven, to the teammates last season.
“And for the fans you are amazing and I can’t thank you enough for the support you have given me and hopefully Harry in the next few years to come. We will cross paths again.”
SEE MORE: Where next for Callum O’Hare as he says goodbye to Coventry City?
This is what fans are saying as Archie Gray gives his first interview as a Tottenham player with Leeds left heartbroken…
@Leeds_Untied: Gutted. I hope he has gone with the best wishes. Guess what happens with Harry and Eddie will be the real litmus test as to the truth in that
@ScanlanHarley: Future England captain good luck Archie MOT 👏👏👏
@Yorkshire77: Can’t buy into a club that sells its home grown talent all the time … it’ll be my last season.
@_lufcsam: Heartbroken but you forced him out 😂😂😂😂
@emmaoakleytaylr: You can’t be heartbroken when it’s your own decision. 49ers have shown their colours early on. They do not get it, at all.
@paddygunn: Are you allowed to say “heartbroken” when you’ve sold him? Seems a bit rich.
@Ken_DeMange: Liars. You lot know the price of everything, but the value of nothing.
@MMMMMNoodleSoup: Literally sent him out the door but you’re heartbroken. Scraggy little mugs you lot.
@EastStandL29:
To Archie: Let it rip!
To the club: Shame on you for forcing him out.
To Marathe: Your honeymoon period is officially over!
#LUFC
@smileylufc: 😢😢😢 good luck Archie …hope this isn’t the last we see of you in the Leeds shirt. 🤍💙💛
@robchocs: Waited years to see him play, and then “See ya later.” £40m is nothing when you consider all the time gone into getting him to where he is, and where he wanted to be. Shocking.
@miffy0811_a: Most upsetting pissed off beyond words in many many yrs. Zero faith left. Waiting to see wot our Harry and Eddie do now.
@samh__15: Gutting to see one of our own depart but I understand it from a PSR perspective. Leaves with nothing but the best wishes from me and plenty of others. But Rodon in return is excellent business 👍 #LUFC
@ShinyGimpFace: Archie’s first interview, says when he heard about the offer he absolutely couldn’t say no. Not going to lie, opinion of him has lowered a bit. #lufc #Leeds
@TheAndrews89: Announcing Rodon and Archie Gray deals was smart, it kind of softens the blow but I am devastated. I expected Summerville and Gnonto. But we’ve seen this for years going back to Milner homegrown talent fulfilling potential elsewhere. Massive summer for the 49ers & co @LUFC #lufc
@spoon_boots: I don’t really have an issue with Gray leaving. Ultimately players move on and I wish him the best. I do have a problem in fucking up promotion. We got ourselves into automatic and play off final options and bottled it. Coaching and big name Charlie’s who didn’t show. #lufc
@Chris_CD2010: Heartbroken. Financial Mismanagement by the club over the last few years meant there was no option. Getting peanuts for all the rubbish we bought under Orta.
@AdamGre42160044: Gutted to lose such a quality player but let’s be honest he is destined for the very top and that wouldn’t be with us even if we were premier league. He will always be Leeds though
@aleedsfanabroad: Gutted. This is not the Leeds I know and love.
@JonathanBrook84: Gutted we didn’t get to see Archie fulfill his potential at Leeds, but the sky is the limit for the kid. Go smash it at Spurs. You’re Leeds and you know you are.
@PKellett88278: You will smash it in premier all the best Archie
@themjdavidson: Put aside the Gray connection…. he had a release clause (that would have been his choice), he chose to exercise that clause, played 1 season and we get £40m. It’s good BUSINESS. Alas business takes precedence over loyalty, age, family etc. sad yes. Gutted no. Onward we go
@matthayesthfc: We’ll take care of him 🤍 We know what it’s like to lose one of our own… a bit too much haha
@JimmyBCSpurs: We’ll look after him
@jjhunt61: Heartbroken is an understatement. We loved him not because of his talent, but because he loved us. Just devastating to see him leave. However, I wish him nothing but the best. I know he will play for England. More importantly I know he will always love us. 💙💛
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