Ask any Leeds United fan the name of the next Elland Road talent to get excited about, and they will answer Harry Gray after the 16-year-old made his debut last season.
Despite his age, his debut was long-awaited. Gray was one of six Leeds youngsters to join the senior side in Germany during pre-season in 2024, but soon after the trip to Germany, Gray picked up an injury.
Much like his older brother Archie, Harry was forced to wait for his chance in the first team. But having recovered and impressed in Scott Gardner’s U21 outfit, Gray was given his debut in the 6-0 win vs Stoke.
It turned out to be the day in which Leeds secured promotion to the Premier League as Burnley beat Sheffield United at Turf Moor. It saw the effervescent Gray celebrating wildly with his senior teammates.
Little surprise then, that Gray was named as one of 15 youngsters to sign a two-year scholarship this week. It means the England Under-17 international is now contracted to The Whites until June 2027.
Harry Gray chats to Daniel Farke before making his Leeds debut.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
How long do Leeds have to wait until a long-term deal for Gray
That is not a particularly long time, however. Leeds of course, will be concerned that bigger English clubs will see the progress of brother Archie, and his form at such a young age, and will consider a transfer.
Leeds then, will be desperate to hand Gray a long-term contract in order to swat away interest from the bigger clubs showing interest. However, the rules state that Leeds will have to wait to hand him a deal.
Indeed, clubs are forced to wait until players are 18 before they can tie them to a long-term deal. At 17, clubs can offer players a three-year deal. But Leeds will have to wait until Gray is 18, for a long-term deal.
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Gray is currently 16 years of age and will turn 17 in October. It means that Leeds will only have the full ability to tie him to a four or five-year contract when he turns 18 in a year and three months.
Harry Gray celebrates with the Championship trophy.
Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images
Which clubs want to sign Leeds United gem Harry Gray
There are some loopholes in this issue, which actually saw Leeds announce a long-term deal for Archie three months before he turned 18. Though it might be that his long-term deal activated when he was 18.
Tottenham have shown interest in signing the younger Gray, and team him up with Archie again. Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that Arsenal and Newcastle are also watching the 16-year-old talent.
The chances are that most Premier League clubs at the top end would like to sign Gray. But he cannot sign professional terms until he is 17, and that is limited to a three-year deal until Gray turns 18 in 2026.