📢BREAKING NEWS : Archie Gray Discloses Reasons for Joining Tottenham Following Leeds Departure

Archie Gray “couldn’t say no” to Tottenham Hotspur, he has revealed, after the 18-year-old joined Spurs from “broken” Leeds United.

   Gray, 18, has attracted a number of admirers after an impressive season, with Brentford having a bid of around £35million rejected on Sunday.

   That opened the door for Spurs to land the England Under-21 international, who signed a six-year deal with the Premier League club after paying between £25m and £30m to secure his services, along with a previous loan spell.    Joe Rodon is returning to Leeds permanently.

   “When Spurs came and I got the chance to play in the Champions League and this year in the Europa League, I couldn’t say no,” Gray said in his first Tottenham interview.

   “I know so many players who are here, not so much the first team but the young lads and the other thing is it’s a massive project under Ange and something I want to be a part of. I’m not going to lie to you I’m a big Celtic fan so I have  love it and my whole family loves it.

   “It’s also an important factor because it’s very important for me to play under a really good manager as well. I still have a lot to learn because I’m only 18 so that’s very important.”

   Leeds have defended the sale of their young star, insisting their hands are tied with a release clause and that Gray’s departure has left them “heartbroken”.

   “Whilst we understand that fans will be extremely disappointed to lose such home-grown talent and a surname so synonymous with Leeds United, this move improves the club’s chances of competing for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive  teams within the league’s financial control rule,” Leeds said.

   “Everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own go.”    They said Spurs had “fulfilled the release clause triggered by the club failing to get promoted at the first attempt”.

   Leeds’ failure to secure promotion via the Championship play-offs in May has put pressure on them to make at least one lucrative sale to meet Financial Fair Play rules.

   The versatile Gray thrived under Leeds boss Daniel Farke last season and became one of their most valuable assets, making 52 appearances in all competitions at both right-back and central midfield following his league debut against Cardiff in August  field.

   Archie comes from a prestigious football family with uncle Leeds, Eddie Gray and father Andy also previously playing for the Elland Road club, and won the Championship Young Player of the Year award and also made it to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

   Chelsea have registered an interest in the Leeds academy graduate along with a number of other top clubs, but Gray was adamant after talks with Ange Postecoglou that Tottenham is the best destination for him and he will get the chance to play in the Europa League with the north London outfit.

   Despite his ability to play in defence, Gray sees himself as a future midfielder.

   “Obviously I see myself as a midfielder as an ideal position, but I don’t focus on one position,” he said.    “I think I’m a versatile player and I can play in many positions on the pitch, which is very effective when you have so many competitions and games this year.

   “You don’t want to have too big a team and that can be a big help because the team is very diverse and I don’t care where I play, I’m going to give 100 percent and that’s all that matters and I’m trying to do my best here.”

   Wales international Rodon has gone the other way, ending his four-year stay at Spurs.

   Rodon signed from Swansea in 2020 but has made just 24 appearances for Tottenham, last appearing for the club two years ago as a late substitute against Burnley towards the end of the 2021-22 season.

   He spent the last two seasons on loan at Rennes and then at Leeds, with the 26-year-old returning to the latter after signing a four-year contract.