Harry Gray
Burton Albion v Rotherham United, EFL Sky Bet League 1 Rotherham United forward Harry Gray on loan from Leeds United 24 warms up before the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Burton Albion and Rotherham United at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent, UK on 17 February 2026. Burton upon Trent Pirelli Stadium Staffordshire UK Editorial use only DataCo restrictions apply See www.football-dataco.com , Copyright: xJohnxMallettx PSI-23764-0022
Leeds United fans were disappointed with the transfer business conducted in the January window. Just one player was added to the first team last month.
When news emerged that the Whites were signing Facundo Buonanotte on loan, fans were excited. Then reports emerged of a possible deal for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, but it never materialized. The financial structure Leeds wanted for the deal was not possible for the 49ers, and Stand Larsen ended up joining Crystal Palace.
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In January, the club also saw some exits from Elland Road. Jack Harrison left the club to join Fiorentina on loan; he had been pushing for a move away after not getting enough playing time this campaign. In a surprising turn of events, Harry Gray joined Rotherham on loan till the end of the season. It was a move no one really expected, as nothing had emerged suggesting it could happen.
Harry Gray opens up on Rotherham loan move
Per reports, it was the youngster who pushed for the move as he was keen to gain some first team action. Joining Rotherham, who were fighting for survival in League One was always going to be a tough task. But since his arrival, Harry Gray has scored twice in eight games. The Leeds United loanee has opened up on his start to life in South Yorkshire:
“Learning how to ride the game,” Gray said in an interview with The Athletic.
“Moments in a game, you need to do certain things and obviously it’s not going our way at the minute, but I can only learn from it and take that into future games in my career.”
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49ers made the correct decision
Even though the initiative was from the player, the club allowing Harry Gray to go out on loan is a great decision. He is young, and deserves to have some first team action. Gray spent most of the first half of the season in Premier League matchday squads while still playing with the U21s and U18s. At his age, he needs to be playing with competitiveness above youth football. The move to Rotherham will set him up well for the future; other great English strikers started out on loan deals across the EFL. It will be interesting to see how the striker first in his first true test in senior football, and his success will only help Leeds United.