Ashley Phillips has joined Middlesbrough, signing a five-year contract with the club.

Middlesbrough have officially confirmed the signing of Ashley Phillips. The 21-year-old English centre-back, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, will join Middlesbrough on a permanent transfer and sign a five-year contract.  

Ashley Phillips has accumulated considerable Championship experience, having previously played on loan for Stoke City and Plymouth Argyle, totaling two and a half seasons in the Championship. At the national team level, he is currently a member of the England U21 national team.  

During this summer's transfer window, Ashley Phillips attracted the attention of several clubs and received offers from numerous teams. After consideration, he ultimately decided to join Middlesbrough, ending his three-year partnership with Tottenham Hotspur.  

Ashley Phillips said: "I'm very excited to join Middlesbrough and I can't wait to put on the shirt and step onto the pitch. It's a very good club and I think they are fully capable of returning to the Premier League."  

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of the team and I hope to use my abilities to help Middlesbrough improve their overall strength. In the coming season, I hope to work together with my teammates to create a successful season.”  

Ashley Phillips was developed through Blackburn Rovers' youth academy, making 14 first-team appearances before joining Tottenham Hotspur. In the second half of the 2023/24 season, he joined Championship side Plymouth Argyle on loan, winning the club's Young Player of the Year award at the end of the season. He then spent two consecutive seasons on loan at Stoke City, accumulating over 80 appearances during those periods.  

Ashley Phillips, speaking about his career, said: "I had the opportunity to gain first-team experience at Blackburn at a very young age, which helped me a lot in my development. Then, joining Tottenham gave me a real taste of what it's like to be a Premier League player."  

“I feel that my past loan spells have given me a wealth of match experience and helped me grow into a more mature player. However, I know that there are still many areas where I need to improve, and I hope to continue to progress in Middlesbrough and prove my ability through my performance.”  

Image source: Internet/Middlesbrough official website