Tashan Oakley-Boothe has put pen to paper on a new three-year contract at Tottenham Hotspur, with fans of the club delighted for the youngster.
The midfielder’s deal was announced alongside that of team-mate Samuel Shashoua, who committed his own future to Spurs until at least the summer of 2020.
✍️ We are delighted to announce that Academy players @BootheTashan and @Sam_shash have signed new contracts with the Club until 2021 and 2020 respectively.#COYS pic.twitter.com/0OvuZK21Ed
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 28, 2018
This news is a clear indication that the Lilywhites’ hierarchy are planning for the future and in Oakley-Boothe they have a player of tremendous potential who will be looking to make a serious impact in the senior setup over the coming years.
Part of England’s successful Under-17 World Cup-winning side last autumn, the 18-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the quarter-finals, semis and final as the Young Lions triumphed over the likes of Brazil and Spain on their way to claiming the crown.
Prior to that, Oakley-Boothe had featured in Tottenham’s 2017 pre-season tour of the USA and made his competitive debut in the League Cup win over Barnsley in September, coming on as a late substitute for Dele Alli.
The main barrier to the teenager’s development looks to be the quality of players currently ahead of him in the pecking order at Spurs; in Alli, Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama, Eric Dier and Moussa Sissoko, the North Londoners already have a strong group capable of playing in the centre of the park.
It may well necessitate the local lad heading out on loan in order to gain experience and a move to the Championship or even League One next term could prove hugely beneficial in the long run.
Harry Kane is an example of an academy graduate who has benefited from the loan system in recent years and if handled correctly it should provide the perfect platform for Oakley-Boothe to push on at his parent club.
Supporters are clearly happy to see the hot prospect sign a new contract and they took to Twitter to offer their congratulations and wish him well for the future.
The best of the reaction can be found below:
Congratulations @BootheTashan & @Sam_shash! 🙌
— India Spurs (@IndiaSpurs) February 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Maestrxo/status/968878566887907330
AH YTES BOYS WELL IN! #COYS REO NOW!
— Toni (@TONlJIMENEZ) February 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/THFClub/status/968955547197345792
https://twitter.com/Neil_I_Am37/status/968914282544074752
I LIKEZZZ IT #COYS
— Arizona Spurs (@ArizonaSpurs) February 28, 2018
about time.
— ash (@aashwaarren) February 28, 2018
Well done lads good choice
— steve taylor (@steveta43790940) February 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/SpursDenmark/status/968894106691874818
https://twitter.com/TJBelts/status/968879029179871232