Julius Okorie
Tottenham have completed the signing of teenage midfielder Archie Gray from Leeds United.
The 18-year-old moves to the North London club in a deal worth around £30m, with Joe Rodon who spent last season on loan at Leeds moving to Elland Road permanently in the opposite direction on a four-year deal. Gray has signed a six-year-deal at Spurs and will wear the number 14 shirt.
In capturing Gray, Spurs edged out rivals Brentford after Leeds rejected an initial £35m bid from the Bees on Saturday, despite Gray being given permission to undergo a medical with Thomas Frank’s side. Gray is hoping to earn the chance to play European football next season following Spurs qualification for the Europa league.
The England U21 international becomes Ange Postecoglou’s second summer signing after Timo Werner rejoined the club on loan from RB Leipzig.
Gray enjoyed a breakout season at Elland Road, making 52 appearances in all competitions as Leeds lost in the Championship play-off final to Southampton a game where he played the full 90 minutes.
He is the son of former Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Burnley striker Andy Gray, and first featured in a first-team squad three months before his 16th birthday, when he was named on the bench for a Premier League game with Arsenal in December 2021.
Gray, who revealed he is a Celtic fan, says he and his family “love” Spurs boss Postecoglou and admitted the Australian was a major factor in him moving to the Premier League club.
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He said in his first Tottenham interview: “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.
🎙️ “I’m really excited, it’s a massive Club and it’s an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.”
In another development Barcelona fermine star Mariona Caldentey has joined Arsenal Ladies from the la liga giants.
The 28-year-old scored 114 goals in 302 matches for Barca, winning three Champions Leagues and six league trophies, plus the Women’s World Cup with Spain
“I’m so happy to be here,” said Caldentey. “This is the right time for a new challenge for me and Arsenal is the perfect place. I think what Arsenal are doing as a club is amazing – on and off the pitch. I love the way we want to play as a team and I think there’s a strong mentality building here.
Arsenal have been looking to bolster their forward line since announcing that Vivianne Miedema will leave on a free transfer at the end of this month.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
