‘I couldn’t say no’ – Archie Gray’s first words on Leeds United exit and Tottenham call-up

European football with Tottenham Hotspur was an opportunity. Archie Gray says he could not refuse once Leeds United agreed a transfer fee. On Tuesday morning came confirmation of the £40million package that takes the 18-year-old to the Premier League side on a six-year deal.

There were four years left on Gray’s contract at Elland Road, where he quickly became a fan favourite, but a non-promotion clause allowed Spurs to make Leeds an offer they couldn’t refuse. Speaking to Tottenham’s official website, Gray said this was a chance he couldn’t say no to.

“It’s obviously a massive club and an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” he said. “I am very excited to play and start with the team.

READ MORE: Leeds United confirm £40m move for Archie Gray and Joe Rodon

“It hasn’t sunk in yet, to be honest, and I don’t think it will in the next few days and until we play a few games and get to know everybody. I’m really excited and looking forward and it’s a huge opportunity for me.

“When Spurs came and I had the opportunity to play in the Champions League and the Europa League this year, I couldn’t say no. I know so many players here, not so much the first team but the youngsters and obviously another thing (is) it’s a massive project under Ange (Postecoglou) and something I want to be a part of.”

Gray would admit that he is actually a huge Glasgow Celtic fan who, like his whole family, loves what Postecoglou has done in Scotland. He is now delighted to be working under the Aussie and expects there will be aspects of Premier League football that suit him better than the Championship.

“A part of the Premier League would suit me better than a part of the Championship and I think I’m ready for that,” he said. “The fitness side really suits my game and the technical aspects of it really suit me.

“A lot of it suits me, but there’s obviously a lot of things I have to learn and I have to do in pre-season and I have to prepare for another league and I have to prepare for that. Hopefully I’ll be able to learn very quickly and do my best in every game.”

There was a mention of Leeds in the three-minute video released by Tottenham. He said connecting with the fans at Elland Road was a big part of life in West Yorkshire and that was reflected in what was happening at Spurs.

“I just hope to play as many games as possible and help push the team even more and if it’s in training every day, be as competitive as possible, push the players and try to get into the team, try to make stays in the team,” he said. “We have a very strong connection with the fans, which I think is also very important.

“He was huge at Leeds and this club has the same thing with the fans. As I said, this is very important. I want to create a strong bond with the fans and the club, so I’m looking forward to that.”