Leeds har kjøpt inn mange lovende spisser til akademiet de siste sesongene. Ennå er det for tidlig å slå fast hvem av de som vil slå gjennom. Leeds har tonet ned innkjøpene den siste sesongen, men Lewis Pirie var èn de ikke kunne la gå fra seg. Han skulle de ha. Hay nevnte i artikkelen om nedtoningen av akademisatsingen om unntaket:
Now and again, that corner of the market still tempts Leeds to act. In July, they struck a deal with Aberdeen for Lewis Pirie, a 16-year-old forward who is playing for their under-18s.Stjernenavnene på U18 har jo vært Harry Gray og Finlay Gorman. Men det er Lewis Pirie som har stått for målene. Og nå har han blitt 17 og gammal nok til å signere profesjonell kontrakt:
Young forward agrees pro terms with the club.Leeds United are pleased to announce Lewis Pirie has signed his first professional contract with the club, until the summer of 2026.
The Scottish forward joined the Whites from Aberdeen's academy last summer, linking up with Rob Etherington's Under-18s side at Thorp Arch.
The 17-year-old has impressed during his time at the club to date, grabbing three goals and an assist in eight U18 Premier League matches this campaign.
(Leedsunited.com)
The 17-year-old Scottish youth international signed from Aberdeen last summer and has featured for Leeds’ Under-18s this season, scoring three times. Pirie came off the bench to play a part in United’s progression to the FA Youth Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night, scoring from the spot as Leeds defeated Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United on penalty kicks after drawing 1-1, having taken the tie to extra time. The youngster recently turned 17, permitting him to sign professional terms at Elland Road. It follows the likes of now-first-team academy graduate duo Archie Gray and Mateo Joseph agreeing improved terms last month, both extending their stays until the summer of 2028. Pirie joined in a reported £200,000 transfer from the Scottish Premiership club’s academy. He has been capped at U16 and U17 level for Scotland. His contract at Elland Road runs until June 2026.
(YEP)