Tottenham transfer news: Loan deal confirmed as 20-year-old moves in "significant coup"

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Ashley Phillips has rejoined Championship outfit Stoke City on loan for the 2025-26 campaign.

The 20-year-old - who was an unused substitute in Spurs' 2-0 friendly victory over Reading at the weekend - was a mainstay of the Potters side during his first loan spell last season.

Phillips made 35 Championship appearances for Stoke in the 2024-25 campaign, as well as scoring one goal in an EFL Cup fourth-round defeat to Southampton.

The 2005-born defender may have been hopeful of a shot at first-team football at Tottenham next season, but Thomas Frank has reinforced his defensive ranks with the arrivals of Kota Takai and Luka Vuskovic this summer.

As a result, Phillips will spend a second spell at the bet365 Stadium for the upcoming season, and his re-signing was described as a "significant coup" by Stoke sporting director Jonathan Walters.

Tottenham's Phillips joins Stoke in "significant" transfer coup

Back at the bet365 ?

Ashley Phillips rejoins the Potters on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) July 23, 2025

"Being able to bring Ashley back to Stoke City despite plenty of competition is down to him loving his time here last season so much, and a lot of work that took place behind the scenes to make it happen," Walters told the official Stoke website.

"I know the support he received from our fans was a huge part of his positive experience of our club and I’m looking forward to seeing that bond develop even further.

“With the attributes he has and what he’s already achieved as a central defender at such a young age, Ashley, for me, is a potential full international of the future.

“To have him playing for us for another season is a significant coup and we all can’t wait to see him back on the field in a Stoke City shirt, doing what he does best for the Potters."

Meanwhile, Phillips explained that it was a "no-brainer" to return to the Championship club for another spell, adding: "It feels like unfinished business. I am absolutely buzzing to be back.

Spurs' Phillips: 'No-brainer to re-sign for Stoke'

"I feel really valued, the coaching staff are brilliant, the gaffer has been amazing with me and presented me with the plan he has to help me to develop, it made it a no-brainer.

"Working with Ryan Shawcross in particular is great for me. He helped my game immeasurably last year and I am sure that will be the case again this season.

“Also, through thick and thin, our fans have turned up and supported us. They have been great to me, I know they will continue to be, and we will need them throughout the whole season."

Phillips joined Spurs from Blackburn Rovers for circa £2m in the summer of 2023, but the defender is yet to make his senior competitive debut for the Lilywhites.

The England Under-20 international also spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan with Plymouth Argyle, playing 20 matches while at Home Park.

Written by
Ben Knapton