DONE DEAL – Tottenham Hotspur agree transfer for 21-year-old midfielder.
Tottenham Hotspur have completed a deal with League One side Barnsley to send midfielder Matthew Craig on loan to Yorkshire for the 2024/25 campaign.
That’s according to Football Insider, with the outlet reporting that the 21-year-old has had multiple clubs chasing his signature this summer following an impressive loan spell at Doncaster Rovers last season. Craig made 18 League Two appearances for the side having joined in January, helping the club to the play-off semi-final, which ultimately ended in defeat at the hands of Crewe Alexandra.
Craig had already completed a medical with Barnsley and looks set to take part in the side’s final pre-season preparations ahead of the EFL opening weekend in August. Barnsley welcome Mansfield Town to Oakwell on Friday, August 9 to kickstart their campaign.
The Tykes also suffered semi-final play-off heartbreak last season, losing to Bolton Wanderers and will look to achieve promotion to the Championship this term.
Craig has been part of the Spurs academy since the age of 12 and made his professional debut for the club in 2023. That came in a Premier League cameo against Leeds United in May 2023, a match which the London club won 4-1.
That is the player’s only first team appearance to date with last season’s spell at Doncaster Rovers his first loan period away from North London. Craig’s current Spurs deal still has two years left on it, expiring in 2026, having signed an extension last year.
Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday were also said to be tracking Craig’s performances in League Two last season but it is the League One outfit who appear to have made a loan offer successful rather than those Championship sides.
Speaking at the end of his Doncaster Rovers loan deal, Craig was positive about the experience and had appeared to hint at a potential return. He told the Yorkshire Post: “Yeah – I’ve really liked it here. I think at the end of the season, we’ll see what Spurs say as well. So far, I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
“Being able to come here, and being able to experience senior football, is something which I’ve really enjoyed. You see games within the league and you can’t wait to get out and play.
“You have conversations with Spurs about where they think is best for you and when you should go out. I’ve been lucky enough that I’ve been allowed to come here and get some games.
“First loan, obviously for me, I think I’ve really learnt a lot here in the couple of months I’ve been here so far. I’ve been really lucky, I’ve come to a club that’s really helped me, and a squad that’s embraced me.”
