Earlier this month, Archie Gray completed a £40 million transfer to Tottenham from Leeds United and made his debut on Wednesday night in a pre-season friendly against Hearts, a Scottish side.

Leeds United sold the 18-year-old to avoid a points deduction and to comply with Profit & Sustainability Rules ahead of the 2024-25 season. Gray, an England U21 star, played in a training match against Cambridge United last week, featuring in the second half. On Wednesday, he participated in Tottenham’s first pre-season game at Tynecastle.

Gray, who faced Hearts with Leeds last season, helped Tottenham secure a 5-1 victory, playing the first half in an unfamiliar centre-back role. Known for his versatility, Gray primarily played right-back for Leeds during the 2023-24 season and occasionally as a central midfielder or a no.10 in the play-offs.

Despite his usual positions, Gray excelled as a right-sided centre-back in a back four at Tynecastle. His impressive performance, despite being out of position and only 18, drew admiration from Tottenham fans on social media. Gray expressed his excitement on Instagram following the win.

Spurs have acquired a talented player who has the potential to secure a starting spot, whether at right-back, centre-back, or in midfield. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou praised Gray’s intelligence and adaptability in the new role, stating, “Intelligent kid. Archie was really good, he’s adapting to the intensity and tempo of what we do.”

Gray’s Instagram post received comments from his younger brother Harry, who wrote “cooking,” as well as from Charlie Cresswell, now at Toulouse, and £40 million Tottenham signing Brennan Johnson.