Spurs sign Crystal Palace defender Pearse but player is loaned back to The Eagles

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Crystal Palace defender Gracie Pearse according to reports on Spurs’ official website.

The 18-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season with Crystal Palace last term after joining the club from Arsenal and the promise shown by the player early in her career has not gone unnoticed by Spurs head coach Rehanne Skinner who has moved to sign her.

It has been reported that Pearse has signed a two-year deal with Spurs with the option of a further year. The first year of the youngster’s Spurs career will be spent at Hayes Lane with Pearse being loaned back to former club Crystal Palace.

Pearse made six appearances for Crystal Palace in last season’s FA Women’s Championship. The player helped The Eagles to record one clean sheet which came against bottom club London Bees.

After completing her move to Tottenham Hotspur, Pearse said “I’m really excited to come to Spurs. It means a lot to me because I come from a family of Tottenham fans, so that makes this opportunity even more special. My dad supported me in getting into football when I was very young and I just enjoyed it so much. I discovered what it was like to play in a girls’ team and it really drove me on to want to be the best player I can possibly be. My dad is a huge fan of this Club so deep down, I always knew it was meant to be that I would eventually become a Spurs player, it gives me huge pride to represent my Dad and the rest of my family in that way.

“Being at Crystal Palace will be very important for me initially. I really enjoyed it there last season and by splitting my training time between here and Palace and hopefully getting some more game time with them, I’ll be getting the best of both worlds at this stage of my career.

“This is only a step towards what I want to achieve in my career and I will continue to strive towards these goals with the great platform Spurs is providing for me. I can’t wait to get started.”

Pearse joins Spurs having spent a decade with local rivals Arsenal. The player clearly wants to make some special memories on the blue and white side of North London now that she has won the opportunity to do so.