Tottenham have allowed midfielder Anton Walkes to leave the club on a loan deal in order to get more first-team experience. Walkes has linked up with MLS outfit Atlanta United until the end of the campaign. He had been in talks with the MLS club for the last week, and the move has just been finalised. Rather than move on loan to a lower league outfit in England, Walkes has chosen the exotic route and decided to play for a MLS team. It remains to be seen if this decision will pay off.
The 19-year-old midfielder is also capable of playing in a number of positions. He came through the ranks at the club just like the high-profile names like Harry Kane. Tottenham are thought to be highly confident about Walkes’ progress into a first-team player. Even though he has not made an appearance in the Premier League, manager Mauricio Pochettino gave him an opportunity to impress in the EFL Cup game against Gillingham earlier in the season. The match finished 5-0 win, but Walkes would encounter a much difficult tasks along the way.
Anton Walkes has joined @MLS side @ATLUTD on a six-month loan deal. Good luck, Anton! pic.twitter.com/jkWwsLvBsj
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 26, 2017
The player will be aware that if he manages to prove his quality, he will get an opportunity at Tottenham. Unlike many other Premier League clubs, the North London outfit are not shy about promoting from within. In fact, many of the first-team regulars who have helped the club enter into a title challenging position this season have come through the ranks. Harry Kane is a perfect example, while other the young purchases like Dele Alli, Danny Rose, and Kyle Walker have gone on to become a major force in the Premier League.
Atlanta United are extremely happy with signing a player who has been clearly rated as quality within the Tottenham youth setup. United president Darren Eales said:
“Anton has a bright future and we’re thrilled to have him continue his development at our club.
“He’s a young player who’s already been part of the first team squad at Spurs, featuring often throughout the summer until his official debut in the League Cup in September. He’ll be a welcome addition to our club.”
Walkes has been a regular for the club in the youth setup. He has made 17 appearances for the reserve team with 12 of them being in the Premier League 2. Pochettino will have a good look at the player once he returns from the loan spell in North America. Since progressing from the youth setup, this is his first loan spell of the career.
