Tottenham finally end transfer drought with signing of Jack Clarke
Tottenham Hotspur have made their first signing since January 2018, bringing in Jack Clarke from Leeds United.
The 18-year-old winger, who will rejoin Leeds on loan for the 2019/20 season, becomes Spurs’ first signing since Lucas Moura’s arrival from Paris Saint-Germain 17 months ago.
Clarke joins Spurs: Five key things to know…
- Clarke broke into the Leeds team last season, making 22 Championship appearances.
- Most of those were from the bench but he managed to score two goals and register two assists.
- The teenager was named Leeds’ Young Player of the Year despite missing part of the season through illness.
- Spurs have reportedly paid Leeds an initial fee of £8.5m that could rise to around £11m.
- Clarke is Tottenham’s first signing since January 2018 and rejoins Leeds on season-long loan.
Prior to Clarke, Spurs hadn’t signed a British player since Kieran Trippier joined from Burnley in the summer of 2015.
But Mauricio Pochettino is renowned for developing young English talent, getting the best out of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose during his time at Tottenham.
Spurs and Leeds announced the deal on Tuesday morning via their official Twitter accounts.
✍️ #WelcomeJack #COYS ⚪️ #THFC pic.twitter.com/sjN04SqXXp
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 2, 2019
✍ | #LUFC are pleased to announce the loan signing of Jack Clarke from Tottenham Hotspur #HiJack
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 2, 2019
Clarke told Tottenham’s official website: “I’m delighted to join Tottenham and in the short term I’ll be giving my all to hopefully help Leeds win promotion.”
The Londoners are also said to be closing in on a deal for Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele as Pochettino looks to build on last season’s Champions League final appearance.
Meanwhile, Clarke’s immediate return to Elland Road represents a boost for Marcelo Bielsa, whose side finished third in the second tier last term only to fall short in the play-offs.
