Archie Gray has quickly made a strong impression on Tottenham fans as he starred in their 5-1 pre-season win against Hearts.
Spurs welcomed the 18-year-old from Leeds earlier in the month by activating his £40million release clause.
Gray has signed a contract until 2030 with the north London outfit and arrives as one of English football’s most exciting young talents.
He made his first appearance in a reported 7-2 behind-closed-doors friendly win over Cambridge United.
But fans have been able to catch first glimpse of him in Spurs colours on the cameras as they faced Hearts in their latest pre-season test.
Gray, a natural centre-midfielder who often played at right-back last season, was deployed as a centre-back in the club’s trip to Scotland, but still stole the show in the opening period.
He completed 50 of his 52 passes during his first-half performance, with five of those coming in the final third, and also won all three of his aerial duels.
Fans were loving what they saw of the youngster, with many tipping him for a bright future in the English capital.
Taking to X, one said: “Archie Gray is playing out of position at centre-back and acts like a veteran. Unbelievable quality, he is going to be an amazing player. 18 years old, incredible!”
“Archie Gray is special,” a second simply said.
A third added: “Archie Gray plays like a really experienced player, so composed on the ball even at centre back. Looking forward watching him this season.”
This fan then commented: “Archie Gray looks very classy. Head up, good tackles, always feels like he has that extra moment on the ball, a nice cross field ball.
“Not an experienced centre-back of course but very exciting signs. He’ll play lots this season.”
Meanwhile one simply stated: “Archie Gray… future Spurs legend.”
Gray was substituted at the break as Ange Postecoglou looks to play as much of his squad as possible ahead of the new season.
And within the first minute of the second half, Hearts equalised through Lawrence Shankland with Gray’s replacement Emerson Royal at fault for the foal.
It led one Spurs fan to quip: “Archie Gray has been subbed off and we immediately concede.”
Wales international Brennan Johnson opened the scoring for Spurs in the 39th minute by finishing off a slick move that also involved Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
Just nine minutes after Hearts’ equaliser, academy star William Lankshear restored Spurs’ lead with a smart finish after being played through by Djed Spence.
It was soon 3-1, with 16-year-old Mikey Moore firing into the bottom left corner, before Spence tapped home from close range after getting on the end of a Timo Werner cross.
And an own goal from Lewis Neilson put Tottenham 5-1 up in a performance that will delight boss Postecoglou.
Spurs next face QPR away from home on Saturday before they travel to Asia for friendlies against Vissel Kobe, Team K League and Bayern Munich.
They then return to their home ground to play Bayern again before kicking off their new Premier League campaign away at Leicester.
News Summary:
- ‘Special’ Archie Gray leaves Tottenham fans stunned by starring in new position in pre-season win over Hearts
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