Leeds United have loved success within the high flight lately and though they don’t seem to be one of many contenders, they appear to have put their Championship days behind them. That is attributed to nice administration and a number of proficient gamers, together with some shiny children.

Over time, Elland Highway has seen a few of the youngest Affiliate Soccer gamers ever, and Leeds have a wonderful listing of gamers who began their careers younger right here and later thrived. On this article, we take a look at the gamers who defied the UK bookmaker odds and entered skilled soccer earlier than they may legally drive.

Take a look at our listing of the seven youngest gamers to ever play for Leeds United!

Aaron Lennon – 16 years and 129 days – 2003

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Present Leeds supervisor Jesse Marsch would have beloved to have a participant like Aaron Lennon throughout his youth. On the time of his Leeds debut in 2003, Lennon was the youngest participant in EPL historical past and he was electrical.

Lennon was recognized for his blistering tempo and at simply 5ft 5, he might actually swap up and tackle defenders with ease. After a good youth profession and knowledgeable profession with Leeds, Lennon joined Tottenham, the place he flourished and had his greatest years. Throughout his 10 years on the membership he made 266 appearances and gained the League Cup with them within the 2007-08 season.

James Milner – 16 years and 310 days – 2002

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Together with Lennon, Milner is Leeds United’s most recognizable and profitable younger participant. Milner was a youth group prodigy, enjoying for the youth group from 1996 to 2002. Following this, he moved straight into the primary group, making 48 appearances for Leeds, scoring 5 objectives.

His begin on the membership could have been temporary, nevertheless it actually laid the inspiration for his lengthy and affluent profession. Milner’s greatest spells have simply been with Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool, and he has gained quite a few accolades from the group, together with three EPL trophies, two FA Cups and two League Cups.

Wesley Boyle – 17 years and 175 days – 1996

Regardless of being one of many youngest Leeds gamers ever, at 17 years and 175 days, Boyle was comparatively unknown and solely a trainee, making just one look for the membership between 1996 and 2002.

Most of his skilled profession was spent at Northern Eire Premiership membership Portadown FC, the place he made 200 appearances between 2002 and 2012. He was a defensive midfielder, scoring only one objective in his total profession.

Alan Maybury – 17 years and 178 days – 1996

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Maybury had an extended skilled profession that spanned almost 20 years. Throughout that point, he performed for Leeds United, Leicester, and numerous Scottish groups.

He performed primarily as a winger and was a strong defender, having fun with his success within the Scottish leagues. Throughout his time at Leeds, he was primarily a back-up for Gary Kelly and spent a number of spells on mortgage to realize expertise. He additionally performed for the Republic of Eire worldwide group and made 10 caps for them.

Harry Kewell – 17 years and 189 days – 1996

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Kewell is usually considered one of many best Australian guidelines soccer skills of all time. His skills have been evident from a really younger age and he performed for Leeds for eight seasons, beginning in 1996.

Though his profession was peppered with harm, he loved success at Leeds, Liverpool and Galatasaray. Moreover, Kewell was instrumental to the Australian worldwide group and performed in numerous competitions together with the 2002 World Cup and the OFC Nations Cup. After retiring from enjoying, Kewell went on to handle numerous groups together with Watford and Notts County.

Rob Bowman – 17 years and 77 days – 1993

Bowman was one of many lesser-known children at Leeds, however he nonetheless performed in some large video games and loved a 10-year skilled profession with Leeds, Rotherham, Carlisle and the Bohemians in Eire.

Rob began his profession at Leeds aged simply over 17 and in 1993 was a part of the profitable group that lifted the FA Youth Cup in opposition to Man U! The Pink Devils squad really included notable gamers Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. As well as, he participated within the legendary sport wherein Jimmy Glass (Carlisle’s goalkeeper) scored a objective within the 94th minute to maintain them within the Soccer League.

Ian Harte – 18 years and 134 days – 1996

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Ian Harte is the final participant on our listing and one other Irish worldwide. He had a wonderful profession and truly had his longest spell at Leeds United. Harte performed for Leeds United’s youth group, then went straight into the primary group aged 18 in 1996.

He was well-known for his glorious long-range attacking expertise and was a free-kick specialist in his prime. After making 288 appearances for Leeds, he had a quick stint in Spain after which returned to English soccer and bounced round for a lot of groups, together with a Championship-winning Studying in 2012. Harte additionally discovered success with the Republic of Eire group and performed within the 2002. FIFA World Cup.

As you possibly can see, there have been some extremely younger gamers who began their careers at Leeds United and rose to greatness. True, there have been some children who did not fare as nicely, too, however gamers like Aaron Lennon, James Milner and Harry Kewell have been unimaginable to look at and have loved lengthy and prolific careers.

Different notable gamers who have been barely older however began at Elland Highway embody Alan Smith, Jamie Forrester, Noel Whelan and Jonathan Woodgate. Most of those gamers have been 18 or over after they began at Leeds.