Charlie Lee put pen to paper on a three-year contract with Peterborough United on Wednesday afternoon and, speaking exclusively to The Posh World in Essex, he gave his reasons behind his decision to turn down clubs from higher divisions to join next season's promotion push.
Lee was interesting 16 other clubs, but chose London Road as the place to continue his football education, which has been spent at White Hart Lane so far. The 20-year-old had been with Tottenham Hotspur since the age of eight and captained the reserve side under Clive Allen last season.
The Cheshunt-born player spent a loan spell with Millwall at the end of last season with the Lions keen to make the move permanent. Posh have moved fast to secure his signature and Lee is delighted to commit to the club for three years.
'Barry Fry contacted me following Darren Ferguson's recommendation and they invited me to London Road for some talks and a chance to look around the place on Tuesday. I spoke to a few people and I really liked what I saw at Peterborough and I am pleased to sign.
'The ambition this club is showing is tremendous and that is what persuaded me to sign. I spoke to a couple of clubs in higher divisions, but the chairman Darragh MacAnthony's vision and the enthusiasm of manager Darren Ferguson meant it was not a hard decision for me to make,' Lee exclusively told The Posh World.
Lee made six appearances at Millwall in Coca-Cola League One at the end of 2006 and the chance to play regular football at London Road was a chance he did not want to turn down.
'I enjoyed my loan spell at Milwall, I played regular first team football and that is what I am looking for. Peterborough have given me the best opportunity to do that and I can't wait to get started.
'I was a professional at Tottenham Hotspur for two years under Clive Allen and luckily enough I was made captain. I played with and against some top quality players, but the time was right to make the move so I can play league football and Peterborough have given me a great opportunity.
'I was at Tottenham from the age of eight and as I was growing up I saw the type of players that were being signed by the club. I managed to get on the bench a few times, it is all good experience and that will stand me in good stead for the future with Peterborough,' Lee added.
The versatility that Lee can bring to the Peterborough United squad cannot afford to be overlooked. He can play as a centre back, on the right side or in central midfield and will bring a different dimension to the set-up.
'I am lucky enough to be able to play in three or four positions and that versatility is important, especially at my age. I am a winner and Peterborough are a team that appear to be full of winners, from the top to the bottom and that is a big part of my game. I am tenacious, give 100% and hopefully that will show on the pitch,' Lee concluded.
