OPINION
Leeds fans are waiting patiently for news on some new signings this week but in the meantime, Leeds teased them with a shot of recruitment specialist Victor Orta with his arm round… young Academy midfielder Alfie McCalmont.
The 18-year-old Northern Ireland international signed a two-and-a-half year extension that will keep him at Elland Road until 2021, and the club also holds a year’s option on him too.
That shows how highly Leeds think of McCalmont, who has made the move up to the Under-23s this season, where he’s impressed Carlos Corberan.
The news was announced on the official Leeds Twitter page on Monday afternoon.
? | #LUFC are pleased to announce Academy midfielder @alfiemccalmont4 has signed a new contract with the club
— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 21, 2019
We can’t think of a better time for youngsters at Leeds. Not only have they got an elite manager in Marcelo Bielsa, who constantly watches the Under-23s, but with Carlos Corberan they’ve got a brilliant manager of the Under-23s.
The link between Corberan and Biesa is as close as you can get and many Leeds Under-23 players have made the step up and been successful in the senior team.
Jack Clarke is the standout, a player who’s only just made his first start for Leeds but has already been attracting bids from the Premier League.
McCalmont will be hoping he’s the next player to impress and possibly get a shot in the top-flight with Leeds next season.
Leeds fans were quick to congratulate and wish him luck on Twitter.
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans to the news:
cracking player, big future ahead ?
— Paul Butler ?? (@paulbutler1983) January 21, 2019
Future is bright and white at leeds utd,get promoted and the academy will see the fruits of their labour?
— bielsa’s lucky blue bucket ???? (@delwright21) January 21, 2019
Congratulations young man exciting times ahead MOT.
— R.Cartwright ??? (@rogercart57) January 21, 2019
Well done and congrats Alfie.The hard work always pays off.Last but not least to our main man Orta for the hard work behind the scenes
— Revie-Wilkinson-Bielsa ? (@Ghanabeleeds) January 21, 2019
Great news, and well deserved! Extremely talented and very close to 1st team debut, I'm sure ?
— roaldv (@ArthurNuman1) January 21, 2019
Well done Alfie! Great player. Great lad. Well deserved. Next step, first team! ALAW
— Jason (@Bleanch) January 21, 2019
Debut next week
— brad hargreaves (@bradleyharg) January 21, 2019
Fabulous news Alfie. So very well done son!! All the best #alaw #mot
— Ups and downs (@sam51h) January 21, 2019
Gonna be class this lad
— Josepf (@JoeJames1996) January 21, 2019