Tottenham academy talent Jamie Donley on the brink of joining Championship club Stoke City
Tottenham Hotspur are still planning to sign a new No.10 for Thomas Frank before the transfer deadline on September 1. Their need has been accentuated following a serious-looking knee injury to James Maddison.
Maddison was stretchered off after sustaining an injury against Newcastle United in a pre-season friendly in Seoul on Sunday. The early prognosis does not bode well for the Lilywhites, who are also set to be without Dejan Kulusevski for the opening few games of the new season.
Spurs have seen arrivals as they have departures these past couple of weeks. There have been few academy talents who have departed on loan. Alfie Dorrington and Ashley Phillips have returned to Aberdeen and Stoke City respectively after impressing on loan last term, while Notts County have recently announced the capture of highly-rated Tyrese Hall for the 2025/26 campaign.
Now, another academy product from the Hotspur Way is heading out on loan.
Jamie Donley set to undergo medical at Stoke City
Jamie Donley is the next in line to leave Tottenham on loan. He enjoyed his time in League One with Leyton Orient last season, scoring eight goals and providing 11 assists in all competitions. It was an impressive first taste of men’s football for the attacking midfielder, giving Spurs fans hope of watching him break into the first team at N17 under Thomas Frank.
However, with several new additions to an already competitive squad and more to follow, that does not seem to be on the cards. Now, according to a report from Football London, Donley is set to join Stoke City on loan. The midfielder was on course for his medical at the Bet365 Stadium on Tuesday.
Should he pass the medical, the Antrim-born talent will team up with Phillips at Stoke, who will want to challenge for play-off spots under Mark Robins. With his versatility, creativity and goalscoring ability, Donley ticks a lot of boxes for the midfield profile Robins has been in search of this summer.
Chance for Donley to impress in the Championship
After starring in League One, a move to Stoke is a step up for Donley. It is great opportunity for the 20-year-old to stand out in the second tier of English football and gain invaluable experience.
A full season of Championship football would help him become more robust to tackle with the demands of competing in men’s football. If the three-cap Northern Ireland international does well at Stoke, he could get a chance to break into the Tottenham first-team during the 2026/27.