Leeds United defender Liam Kitching has joined non-league outfit Harrogate Town on a month-long loan, according to a BBC journalist.
BBC Radio Leeds correspondent Adam Pope reported on his personal Twitter account on Monday afternoon that Kitching, 18, has signed for the National League North side on a short-term deal.
Leeds United centre back Liam Kitching, 18, has signed for National North side Harrogate Town on a 1 month loan. He is ineligible to play v St Albans tomorrow night but is set to make his debut at Salford on Saturday. #lufc pic.twitter.com/r1HliH6fZc
— Adam Pope (@APOPEY) January 15, 2018
Pope reports that Kitching has not been registered in time to play for Harrogate against St Albans on Tuesday night, but is in line to make his debut at Salford this weekend.
Harrogate play in the sixth tier of English football and are on course to be promoted to the National League after accumulating 50 points this season to place them second in the National League North table.
OPINION
It is a sensible move for Kitching to go out on loan, even though it is not immediately obvious why the deal is for a month rather than the remainder of the campaign. The teenager has an excellent opportunity to develop his game alongside and against senior players in a league where the standard is high enough to quickly put him under pressure. Harrogate are chasing promotion to England’s fifth tier and the short journey across Yorkshire comes at an ideal time for Kitching, who will move away from his age-group comfort zone at an age where he is ready to take the next step.