Tottenham complete signing of Archie Gray from Leeds

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the signing of Archie Gray from Leeds United.

The versatile 18-year-old has signed a long-term deal until 2030 in north London and will wear the number 14 shirt.

Joe Rodon, who spent last season on loan at Leeds from Spurs, will head to the West Yorkshire side on a permanent transfer.

Leeds missed out on promotion back to the Premier League after losing the Championship play-off final to Southampton in May, and widespread interest in top talent Gray ramped up.

Brentford looked as though they had won the race to sign Gray after seemingly agreeing a deal with Leeds over the weekend, and some reports claimed he had even completed at least part of a medical.

However, Leeds weren't happy with the structure of Brentford's bid and pulled the plug on the deal on Sunday, at which point Tottenham opened negotiations.

Leeds' statement revealed they were powerless to prevent Gray's departure, commenting: "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.

"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."

Gray played 52 times for Leeds across all competitions last season and won both the club's and the Championship's Young Player of the Season awards.

He will be the second young midfielder to join up with Tottenham this summer, having agreed a deal to sign Lucas Bergvall from Djurgarden during the winter transfer window.

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