New signing Archie Gray: “It’s a massive opportunity and I’m really excited”
Tue 02 July 2024, 13:20|
Tottenham Hotspur
Fans, players, a Head Coach he looks up to and some wise words from his grandad... Archie Gray is soaking it all in after completing his move to Spurs from Leeds United.
The talented 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal until 2030 after starring for the Elland Road side last term, his performances in midfield and at right-back earning him the title of Championship Young Player of the Season.
His experience and exposure extends further, though. Having been around the Whites’ squad in the Premier League in 2021/22 as a 15-year-old, he’s been able to learn a lot, not to mention the help and advice he’s received from his footballing family, who are adored at Leeds – his father Andy, grandfather Frank and great uncle Eddie all notably played for the club, the latter also having managed them.
After arriving in north London, Archie spoke of his excitement, willingness to learn and determination to perform well – and revealed why he’s particularly thrilled to have the chance to work under Ange Postecoglou.
“It’s obviously a massive club and an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down,” he said. “I’m just really excited to play and get started with the team. It still hasn’t sunk in to be honest, I don’t think it will for the next few days. Maybe until we’ve played a few games, until I’ve got to meet everyone, it won’t have sunk in. I’m really excited and looking forward to it. It’s a massive opportunity for me and so I’m really excited.
“Another thing is it’s a massive project under Ange and it’s something that I wanted to be a part of. I’m not going to lie, I’m a massive Celtic fan so I love him! My whole family loves him and I haven’t really said this to be fair but I loved watching him at Celtic and I loved watching him here last season – he’s a massive factor because playing under a really good manager is really important for me. It’s a young group here and I feel like I can be right at home, hopefully get playing some games and challenge on the pitch. There are so many huge names here and to be honest I’m just really grateful that I’ll be able to train with them every day. Hopefully I’ll be able to get playing with them on the pitch but initially I just can’t wait to train with them and get to know them. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.
“The club has got a really strong connection with the fans which I think is really important as well. Obviously that was massive at Leeds and this club has got the same thing going on with the fans, so I want to create a strong bond with them and the club. It’s always been a massive club. From when my grandad said he played against Spurs, it’s always been based around a strong core group of players, a really tight squad that pushes every year. That’s another really important thing for me. Everyone I’ve spoken to in my family has said big things about it.”
Archie played 52 games for Leeds in all competitions last season as they agonisingly missed out on promotion back to the top flight in the Championship play-off final. Now, he feels he’s ready to continue to develop in the Premier League.
“It was a really good season apart from the end bit, but for me personally it’s been amazing,” he said, reflecting on 2023/24. “I’ve played a lot of games at 18 and won Young Player of the Season which I’m really grateful for. It wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t play those games, so it’s been really useful for me to learn so much this year. Now I think I’m ready for that next step.
“I’d been a part of the first team at Leeds since I was about 14 or 15 years old, I’ve seen men’s football for almost three or four years now so I know what it takes – not to be at this level, I’m going to learn that – but I’ve seen what’s needed just to be very mature and be a very good professional and ultimately a good player. There’s loads of things I’ve got to learn, but I think parts of the Premier League will suit me more than elements of the Championship did and like I said, I think I’m ready for it. The fitness side of it suits my game so much and the technical aspect of it I think really suits me as well, but there’s loads of things I need to start learning. 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 at my best every day.”
