Stoke City secure Tottenham's Ashley Phillips on season-long loan

Stoke City have bolstered their defence with the signing of Tottenham Hotspur's promising centre-back Ashley Phillips, who joins the club on a season-long loan.

19-year-old Phillips, an England Under-19 international, is coming off a successful loan spell at Plymouth Argyle during the 2023/24 season, where he earned the Pilgrims’ Young Player of the Season award.

Stoke City's Sporting Director, Jon Walters, expressed his satisfaction with the signing, stating, "We identified the need to bring another central defender into our squad some time ago, but we chose to be patient, waiting for the right player of the right quality."

"We’re delighted that our conversations with Ashley and with Tottenham have led to them each believing that Stoke City is the right club for him amid no shortage of competition."

Walters added, "It’s clear that he has all the attributes to become an outstanding defender at this level and beyond, and we’re all excited to see what he can achieve for us this season."

Speaking about his move, Phillips said, "I’m really excited to be at Stoke City and can’t wait to get started. It’s a massive club, one I believe deserves to be pushing up the Championship table, and I’m here to help us finish as high in the league as we can."

Having made 14 first-team appearances for Blackburn Rovers as a 17-year-old, Phillips was named EFL Apprentice of the Season before moving to Tottenham last summer. 

Phillips is expected to be available for selection in Stoke's upcoming fixture against West Bromwich Albion.