Friday, December 5, 2025

Middlesbrough sign Archie Baptiste after Tottenham exit

MIDDLESBROUGH have added to their academy rank, with teenage defender Archie Baptiste joining the club after leaving Tottenham.

The 19-year-old centre-half came through the ranks with Spurs and has been a regular feature in their Under-18s side over the course of recent seasons.

He also played twice in Premier League 2 for Tottenham’s Under-21s last season. But the teenager was released last month, which allowed Boro to make their move.

Baptiste will initially link up with Boro’s Under-21s.

Baptiste is the second youngster to join the club this week, with Boro having signed teenage goalkeeper Owen Foster from Hull City. That deal followed a successful trial for Foster at the end of last season.

Archie Baptiste Signs In At Boro - Middlesbrough FC

Where Baptiste is concerned, Boro have had success signing young players from the capital in recent years.

Djed Spence moved to the Riverside as a youngster after his Fulham release, before going on to join Spurs in a big-money move, while Isaiah Jones was spotted in London’s non-league scene and made more than 130 league appearances. He left for Luton in a £5m deal in January.

Martin Carter, Boro’s head of academy recruitment, previously told The Athletic:  “London is a hotbed of young players

“There’s such a population in London that the super-clubs can rule boys out. We’re trying to rule them in.

“They’re going for boys at this level — high — and we’re going for those at this level — medium. Realistically, we aren’t getting the highest level but we’re looking for a boy who can get to that level. That’s what scouting is.”

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