Leeds United have seen U21 talent Jacob Howard feature for England’s U17 this month, and it leaves the club needing to tie him down as soon as possible.
The 49ers have already tasted the misery of losing a prized academy talent much sooner than anticipated. When Archie Gray left for Spurs for £40million, the fee softened the blow, but still came as a massive setback.
As a result, the club won’t be eager to see that sort of development repeated. Whether it’s his younger brother Harry, or other talents on the books at Thorp Arch, long-term contracts are a must.
Leeds United youngster Jacob Howard impresses for England U17
During this international break, one of Leeds’ U21 squad was part of the England setup.
Centre-back Jacob Howard has recently moved up from the U18s to Scott Gardner’s side at Thorp Arch, and has been recognised at international level too, making two starts for England’s U17s.
He started in midfield against the Faroe Islands in a 3-0 win, before dropping into right-back for a 3-1 defeat against Israel.
England’s match report of the game indicates Howard had a “big chance” to open the scoring from a set piece, but he couldn’t convert.
Jacob Howard turns 17 – Leeds United talent eligible for professional contract
Given the movement between academies at a young age, there’s always the fear that we could lose a player and be powerless to stop it.
Alongside Howard in the England U17 squad was Spurs’ Oliver Boast, who opted to leave Leeds for North London last year.
Now, Howard has since turned 17 on Saturday. As a result, the centre-back is now eligible to pen a first professional contract at Elland Road.
With a contract agreed, Leeds would then be able to deter any interest in our England youth talent. Having lost Finlay Gorman – a midfielder described as “generational” – for £5million, while we sold Gray for £40million, it shows how important that milestone of a first professional contract is.
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