Leeds United sold Archie Gray to Tottenham for a fee in the region of £40 million last summer.
Spurs activated his release clause, meaning the academy graduate was sold by Leeds after just one professional season at the club in the 2023/24 Championship campaign.
Archie Gray’s departure threatened to be a major blow for the Whites, having also sold Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter and therefore needing to rebuild the squad for the second consecutive summer.
After disappointment at Wembley this time last year, Leeds secured the title this season. In that same campaign, Gray has won the Europa League with Spurs and will face Leeds next season as a Champions League player.
Spurs’ Archie Gray praises Leeds United’s role in his development and versatility
The 19-year-old has had to operate as a central midfielder, defensive midfielder, right-back, and as a centre-back this season under Ange Postecoglou’s tutelage. Gray even referenced Leeds after winning the Europa League.
That experience of winning a major honour, while also featuring in a variety of roles, will serve him well heading into 2025/26, with Gray speaking to Sky Sports to explain his thoughts on his season with Tottenham.
He said: “100%. For everyone, the fans, it’s been a season worthwhile, 100%.
“I’ve enjoyed this year — this year so much. You know, it’s provided me with so much and so much different experience than what I thought I was going to get.
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“And I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful for the manager trusting me in so many different positions. All these different things you get experience for.
The youngster Gray is rubbing shoulders with Cole Palmer and he explained that Leeds have played a huge role in his development in one particular area. He added: I’ve grown a lot and I’ve enjoyed it a lot.
“Wherever I’m put on the pitch I’ll try to do the same job, just give 100%, and that’s a thing Leeds do really well with all their young players.
“They always put them in every position on the pitch, so I think that provided me with a good base for playing in these different positions.
“So, I’m not going out there never playing in them.”
Archie Gray’s career stats so far are incredibly impressive
Some Spurs fans want to see Gray return to Leeds in the short-term on loan but, should he stay, Gray will face Leeds next season, having featured in some capacity in 46 of Spurs’ 60 games in all competitions this season.
Not only that, but he started 35 of those amid various injury crises they faced in defence and midfield. The utility man may be required to fill in again next term.
However, Gray will also be eyeing a season of specialising at some stage. He has primarily operated as a box-to-box midfielder or at the base of midfield in recent years. Gray is also just two senior appearances away from a century already.