Tottenham Hotspur has officially announced that midfielder Alfie Devine will be joining Belgian club Westerlo on a season-long loan deal. This move marks Devine’s third loan spell away from Tottenham, following previous stints at Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle. The 20-year-old’s transfer to the Jupiler Pro League comes as Tottenham seeks to manage their squad effectively amid a busy season.
Alfie Devine, a promising young talent, has made notable progress since joining Tottenham. Devine first made headlines when he scored a goal on his debut in a 5-0 FA Cup victory over Marine in January 2021. This achievement made him the youngest male player to score for Tottenham at the age of 16 years and 163 days, surpassing the record previously held by Dane Scarlett.
Devine’s performances during his loan spells have showcased his potential. At Port Vale, he played 26 matches in League One, scoring three goals and providing three assists. His subsequent loan to Plymouth Argyle saw him feature in 15 Championship games, contributing two assists. These experiences have been valuable in his development as a player.
This season, Devine has been part of Tottenham’s senior squad, although his opportunities have been limited. He was an unused substitute in Tottenham’s recent 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League. Despite some involvement under Ange Postecoglou during pre-season, Devine will now continue his development in Belgium, where he will wear the number 10 shirt for Westerlo.
Devine’s move to Westerlo is part of a broader trend of Tottenham players being loaned out this summer. He becomes the seventh senior Tottenham player to depart on loan, joining Bryan Gil, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ashley Phillips, Alejo Veliz, Manor Solomon, and Dane Scarlett. This transfer activity reflects a significant summer clearout under manager Ange Postecoglou, aimed at restructuring the squad.
Postecoglou’s efforts have been successful in permanently offloading 10 players who were deemed surplus to requirements, generating over £55 million in transfer fees. While some players have found new clubs, others, like Djed Spence, who was expected to leave, have had their fortunes change and are now given a chance to prove themselves.
One player whose future remains uncertain is Sergio Reguilon. After mixed performances during loan spells at Brentford and Manchester United in the 2023-24 season, Reguilon has returned to North London but has struggled for game time under Postecoglou. With the transfer window still open in Turkey until September 13 and in Greece until the following Wednesday, Reguilon could still find a new club in these leagues.
As Tottenham continues to adjust their squad for the current season, the loan of Alfie Devine to Westerlo represents a strategic move to ensure the young midfielder gains valuable experience. With Tottenham’s busy schedule and the need to balance player fitness and development, such loans are essential for both player progression and squad management.
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