Leeds United release Jack Vann and Billy Whitehouse

Leeds United have released two young players over the weekend, with Billy Whitehouse and Jack Vann confirming they've been cut on Twitter.

The Whites’ u23 team did not nearly have the success their senior team did, only managing to win six games in the 2016/17 season. These moves could be the first of many in an attempt to jump-start the reconstruction of United’s Youth system.

A part of the academy since he was nine, Jack Vann spent 11 years with Leeds and was tipped by many as the next homegrown talent to break the senior team.

His release comes at a bit of a surprise. Vann signed a professional contract last summer following 40 appearances for the club's u21 and u18 sides in the 2015/16 season. With Kyle Bartley still not officially a permanent Leeds player, it seemed as if this was the best chance Vann would have to join the senior team in some capacity, as Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper are the only true center backs on the roster (as of right now).

Billy Whitehouse was signed last August from Doncaster for an undisclosed fee after being put on the transfer list by boss Darren Ferguson at the conclusion of the Rovers 2015/16 season. The 20-year-old winger managed to start in one game for Garry Monk; the infamous loss to National League side Sutton United. A raw product that's still a season or two away from getting consistent senior team minutes, Whitehouse would have likely gone out on loan next season, but this ends his time with Leeds.

It always sad to see two young guys go, but changes to the youth academy were always going to be made. Best of luck to both players in the rest of their careers.