Leeds are ‘heartbroken to see one of their own depart’ they have said a statement explaining Archie Gray’s move to Tottenham.
Ever since the final whistle blew at the Championship play-off final and they were condemned to another season in the second tier, their fans have been worrying over would head towards the exit this summer.
On that list of players deemed too good for another year in the EFL was academy product Gray, a big fan favourite with help from his relation to former Leeds aces father Andy, great-uncle Eddie and grandfather Frank.
Now, Leeds fans’ nightmare of losing Gray has come true, with the 18-year-old being sold to Spurs this week.
Upon announcing the deal, Leeds wrote a lengthy statement on the decision, stating it was one the club made with a ‘heavy heart’.
It read: “Leeds United can confirm Archie Gray has completed a permanent transfer to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee, after the north London outfit met a release clause that was triggered by the club’s failure to get promoted at the first attempt.
“Gray progressed through the ranks of the Academy at Thorp Arch and became involved with the first team setup at the age of just 15, when he was named on the bench for the Whites against Arsenal in the top-flight in 2021.
“He subsequently went on to make his senior debut in last season’s Sky Bet Championship opener against Cardiff City at Elland Road, aged 17.
“Going on to become a mainstay and thriving in the side under manager Daniel Farke at right-back, he played a key role in helping the Whites reach the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final.
“Throughout his time at the club, Gray also featured on the international stage, earning 24 caps for England at youth level, from Under-15s to Under 21s.
“He now departs having made a total of 52 first team appearances for the Whites in all competitions.
“Understanding the attraction of Premier League and European football, the club, with a heavy heart, agreed the transfer, but the move has strengthened the board’s resolve to ultimately return Leeds to a position where it can meet the footballing ambitions of even its brightest stars.”
Leeds also pointed out the benefits of selling their homegrown talent in terms of keeping within the Championship’s financial regulations.
It continued: “Whilst we understand that supporters will be hugely disappointed to lose such a home-grown talent, and a family name so synonymous with Leeds United, the move improves the club’s chance to compete for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive squad within the league’s financial control regulations.
“Everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own depart and would like to thank Archie for all his efforts and professionalism. He leaves with the very best wishes for his future career and in the knowledge that Leeds will always be his home.”
Leeds captioned their post on X of the statement: “Heartbroken to see one of our own depart, Archie Gray leaves with the best wishes of everyone at LUFC as he joins Tottenham.”
Gray himself has since issued a statement on Instagram about his exit.
He posted a gallery with the caption: "I can’t thank everyone at leeds united enough for the past 11 years, from the all the coaches I’ve had from when I first came at 7 years old to all the coaching staff now.
"I have enjoyed every second of my time at the club and have so many great memories for life from watching in the stands to playing on the pitch.
"I would also like to say a massive Thank you to all of the managers that I have had but especially Daniel Farke, for trusting me this year and giving me the opportunity to play and teaching me so much about the game I am so grateful for him and all the coaching staff.
"Along the way I have made friends for life and I am also grateful for every team mate I’ve been with from the age of 7 to the teammates last season.
"And for the fans you are amazing and I can’t Thank you enough for the support you have given me and hopefully Harry in the next few years to come. We will cross paths again."
Even former Leeds player Jermaine Beckford told talkSPORT he did not think Gray would be sold when addressing his side’s play-off loss in May.
However he did say he thought ‘one or two others’ would be sold.
Despite sitting top of the Championship for periods last season, Leeds lost out on winning promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking to runners-up Ipswich and champions Leicester.
They were condemned to the play-offs and suffered a 1-0 loss to Southampton in the final at Wembley - a game Gray played the entirety of.
Now, Daniel Farke will be under pressure to get the Yorkshire outfit back to the top flight at the second attempt.