Tottenham academy graduate Oliver Skipp has said that he was ‘ready’ to move on from the club in the summer, after spending his entire career in North London.

The midfielder completed a move from Tottenham to newly-promoted Leicester City in the summer transfer window for a fee that could rise to £25 million. It brought to an end a 16-year association with Spurs, where he made 106 first team appearances.

Skipp has now spoken about his decision to move away from his boyhood club and join Leicester.

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“It was hard. It’s a club that’s been in my family and in my heart since I was young,” he told the Athletic . “My grandparents are all fans, and my parents.

“But as a player, you know when your time has come. I was grateful for the opportunities I got at Spurs and I made over 100 appearances that, as a boy growing up, was something you could only dream of.

“But there comes a time where you know the time is right and I felt this summer that it was the perfect opportunity to experience something else and to challenge myself. It was mixed emotions, but I was ready to move on.”

The move to Leicester has seen him link up with another Spurs academy graduate Harry Winks. While he did seek some advice, he also wanted to make the decision without any outside influences.

“Everyone spoke highly of Leicester, but also I wanted to make the decision on my own without getting influenced by other people,” he added. “It was one that I made without telling too many people, so I could get my own feel for the club. It felt like the right move.”

Skipp has made 12 appearances in all competitions for Leicester so far this season, but is yet to establish himself as a regular in the team. But injuries and suspensions mean that he is expected to get a chance against Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

He came off the bench in Leicester’s comeback draw against Brighton last Sunday, and played a big part in the first goal. He has said that there is more to come from him in a Foxes shirt.

“I still don’t want to make an excuse,” he said. “I have been disappointed in my (Leicester) performances so far and I still feel like I could have performed better, but I’m confident that that will come and when I, hopefully, get a run of games, I can show what I can do.

“It takes an adjustment period, getting used to the surroundings, the new team-mates, it’s only natural it takes a while to settle in, but it’s one that I’m confident I can overcome.”