Middlesbrough have signed defender Ashley Phillips from Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year deal, making him the club's eighth summer signing.
Phillips, 21, is a Manchester-born England Under-21 international who began his career at Blackburn Rovers. He signed for Spurs in August 2023 for a reported £2 million but did not make a first-team breakthrough at the Premier League club.
Loan Experience in the Championship
Phillips has gained substantial Championship experience through loan spells. He spent time at Stoke City, where he made 83 of his 119 career appearances to date. He also had loan spells at Blackburn and Plymouth Argyle, joining Plymouth on loan in January 2024.
"I got some great experience at a young age with Blackburn. I then experienced what it's like to be a Premier League player at Tottenham," Phillips said on the club website.
"I think I've developed myself into a good player during my loans, but there's more to come from me. I'm very excited to be here. Hopefully we can achieve great things together this season."
Summer Recruitment
Phillips joins a squad strengthened over the summer following Middlesbrough's Championship play-off final defeat to Hull City in May. Other signings include goalkeeper Radek Vitek, strikers Kyle Joseph and Will Lankshear, winger Jeremy Sarmiento and midfielders Sebastian Berhalter, Max Arfsten and Myles Peart-Harris.
Middlesbrough won their opening Carabao Cup match 1-0 against Wrexham last Saturday and begin their Championship campaign with a home fixture against promoted Lincoln City.
