Preston have completed the permanent signing of Spurs’ 21yo, with CEO Peter Ridsdale praising Tottenham’s handling of the record-breaking deal.
Preston North End have successfully completed the permanent signing of highly rated young midfielder Alfie Devine from Tottenham Hotspur. The transfer marks a massive milestone for the Championship club, with Devine putting pen to paper on a long-term five-year contract at Deepdale.
According to an update shared by The Spurs Express on X, Preston North End’s CEO Peter Ridsdale went out of his way to praise the Tottenham hierarchy for how they conducted themselves throughout the high-profile negotiations.
Expressing his gratitude regarding the professional dialogue between the two clubs, Ridsdale stated:
“I would also like to thank Tottenham Hotspur for the way in which they have handled this transfer. It has been a pleasure working with everyone connected with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.”
Deal Smashes Preston’s Historical Transfer Record
Devine spent the previous campaign on a productive season-long loan with the Lilywhites, quickly establishing himself as a foundational creative spark in their midfield department. Having seen his immense developmental growth firsthand, Preston chose to officially trigger their permanent purchase option to secure his long-term future.
While the exact final figure remains undisclosed, the financial package represents an unprecedented outlay for the Championship side. The agreed transfer fee is understood to be approximately three times their previous club-record signing, highlighting a monumental show of ambition from the board and the Hemmings family in backing manager Paul Heckingbottom.
The public praise from Ridsdale signals a notable shift in how rival clubs perceive Tottenham’s negotiation style. Under previous regimes, the North London side frequently drew criticism across Europe for dragging out discussions and driving an incredibly hard, stressful bargain.
Insiders suggest Tottenham did a massive solid for Preston by working cooperatively to restructure the payment terms of the purchase obligation. Rather than demanding the total price up front, Spurs allowed the Championship side to stagger the record-breaking fee over a multi-year period. By prioritizing healthy relationships over absolute maximum profit, technical director Johan Lange is helping rebuild Tottenham’s reputation as a fair, cooperative partner in the transfer market while creating a trusted domestic pipeline for future academy loans.
