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(FILES) Real Madrid's Spanish forward #14 Joselu holds the trophy as he celebrates the victory at the end of the UEFA Champions League final football match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, at Wembley stadium, in London, on June 1, 2024. - Spanish international forward Joselu leaves Real Madrid to join the Qatari club Al-Gharafa, the Real Madrid CF announced on June 28, 2024. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)
Tottenham have completed the signing of Leeds midfielder Archie Gray in a player-plus-cash deal which sees Joe Rodon return to Elland Road, it was announced Tuesday.
The 18-year-old Gray won plaudits in an impressive breakout season at Leeds and Brentford had a reported £35 million ($44 million, 41 million euros) bid rejected last weekend.
That allowed Spurs to come in for the England Under-21 international, who has signed a six-year deal.
No fee has been disclosed, but British media reported Gray had signed in a deal worth £25-30 million, with the added inducement of former loanee Rodon returning to Leeds on a permanent basis.
Leeds’ failure to gain promotion to the lucrative Premier League from the second-tier Championship in May put pressure on the Yorkshire club to make big-money sales to comply with financial fair play rules.
Gray, who can play at both right-back and in central midfield, became a regular under Leeds boss Daniel Farke last season. The teenager made 52 appearances in all competitions following his league debut against Cardiff in August.
Gray’s great-uncle Eddie was a star of the successful Leeds teams of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Grandfather Frank also played more than 300 games for the club. Father Andy also played for the Elland Road side. All three were Scotland internationals.
Archie won the Championship Young Player of the Year award last season.
Wales international Rodon has now headed in the other direction, bringing to an end his four-year stay at Spurs.
Rodon signed from Swansea in 2020 but only played 24 times for Tottenham with his last appearance as a late substitute against Burnley towards the end of the 2021/22 season.
After spending the last two seasons on loan at French club Rennes and then Leeds, the 26-year-old has returned to Elland Road after signing a four-year deal.
AFP
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