The Independent

Archie Gray “couldn’t say no” to Tottenham Hotspur, he has revealed, after the 18-year-old joined Spurs from a “heartbroken” Leeds United.

Gray, 18, attracted plenty of admirers after an impressive breakout season and Brentford had a bid in the region of £35m rejected on Sunday.

It opened the door for Spurs to swoop for the England Under-21 international, who has signed a six-year deal with the Premier League club after they paid a fee between £25m and £30m to secure his services alongside the sweetener of former loanee Joe Rodon going back to Leeds on a permanent basis.

“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,” Gray said in his first Tottenham interview.

“I know so many players that are here, not so much the first team but the young lads and another thing is that it’s a massive project under Ange and it’s something that I want to be a part of. I’m not going to lie to you, I’m a massive Celtic fan so I love him and my whole family loves him.

“He’s also a massive factor because playing under a really good manager is really important for me as well. I’ve still got loads to learn because I’m only 18 so it’s really important.”

Leeds defended the sale of their young star, insisting their hands were tied by a release clause and that Gray’s exit has left them “heartbroken”.

“Whilst we understand that supporters will be hugely disappointed to lose such a homegrown 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,” Leeds said.

“Everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own depart.” They said Spurs had “met a release clause that was triggered by the club’s failure to get promoted at the first attempt”.

Leeds’ failure to secure promotion via the Championship play-offs in May put pressure on them to make at least one lucrative sale in order to comply with financial fair play rules.

The versatile Gray flourished under Leeds boss Daniel Farke last season to become one of their most valuable assets, going on to make 52 appearances in all competitions at both right-back and in the centre of midfield after his league debut in August against Cardiff.

From a prestigious footballing family with his great-uncle Leeds stalwart Eddie Gray and dad Andy also previously playing for the Elland Road club, Archie won the Championship Young Player of the Year award and also starred during a run to the FA Cup fifth round.

Chelsea registered an interest in the Leeds academy graduate alongside a host of other top-flight clubs, but Gray was convinced Tottenham was the best destination for him after talks with Ange Postecoglou and will get the chance to play Europa League football with the north London outfit.

Despite his ability to play in defence, Gray sees himself as a future midfielder.

“Obviously I see myself as a midfielder as my ideal position but I don’t put myself down to one position,” he said. “I think I’m a versatile player and I can play in a lot of positions on the pitch which is really effective when you’ve got so many competitions and so many games this year.

“You don’t want to have too big a squad and it can be really helpful for the team being really versatile and I’m not bothered where I’m going to play, I’m just going to give 100 per cent and that’s all that matters really and to try to perform my best here.”

Wales international Rodon has gone 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 outing for the club two years ago as a late substitute against Burnley towards the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

After spending the last two seasons on loan at Rennes and then Leeds, the 26-year-old has returned to the latter after signing a four-year deal.

Additional reporting by PA

Unbeaten in qualifying, perhaps there shouldn’t be quite so much surprise over Romania’s thumping victory over Ukraine.

The Tricolorii scored both well-worked and thunderously-hit strikes, claimed a 3-0 win in Group E and got themselves off to a magnificent start at Euro 2024, already a huge step towards the knockouts taken - something they’ve not managed since Euro 2000.

And yet for all the explosive nature of both goals and celebrations, Romania’s biggest strength in qualifying was one they showed again here in less obvious terms: their defensive resolve and organisation.

Edward Iordanescu’s side conceded just five times in ten matches during qualifying, and while none were against the absolute elite of European football, it’s still a record to be proud of and a base to build from.

Key to much of it on the day against Ukraine was the aggressive, bullish and - importantly - consistent performance by centre-back Radu Dragusin, a name more familiar to Tottenham Hotspur fans than his face might be, given they signed him in January but saw him don their jersey only four times from the start, fewer than 500 Premier League minutes all told.

In the yellow of Romania, however, he was monstrous and showed why he was such a highly-prized mid-season capture.

While attention and acclaim will rightly go to the likes of Nicolae Stanciu for a vibrant performance and sensational goal, Dragusin and his defensive counterparts had frustrated and turned away Ukraine a number of times already by that point and only grew in their resolve thereafter.

On the deck and in the air, Dragusin was relentless in showcasing his power and determination to win every ball, but without sacrificing the organisation and alignment of the side.

The 22-year-old former Genoa man won both his direct aerial battles, but more notably made a succession of unchallenged clearances with his header, cutting out deliveries and dangerous-looking balls before they could turn into actual chances on goal.

Epitomising his performance of industry and emotion was a 72nd-minute interception of a low cross, throwing himself in front of Artem Dovbyk to slide behind for a corner and leaping to his feet to pump his fists, roar to the sky and take the baying adulation of the crowd five feet away.

It was everything Romania needed, every time they needed it: raising the belief, keeping the discipline, embracing the occasion.

No player on the pitch made more defensive actions than his 13 - combining clearances, recoveries and blocks - and nobody beat him for aerial clearances either.

While not exactly a creative force from deep, in a game where Romania managed only 29 per cent possession, it was also important that their defenders didn’t waste the ball; Dragusin completed all but two of his passes, while also surging forward notably once late on, relieving pressure and dragging his side 40 yards upfield.

Not yet capped 20 times for his national team and with barely over 100 senior club appearances behind him, Dragusin lacks experience but nothing for mentality.

Romania have enjoyed their best day on the international stage for over two decades with him at the heart of it; they’ll need him more before this summer is out - and perhaps Spurs will begin to wonder how they might utilise those traits next year.

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