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Late breaking transfer news from Leeds United.
A late Under-23s signing at Leeds United - deal done for 17-year-old Forest Green midfielder Jordan Stevens. Quite a lot of competition for him. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) January 31, 2018
The club will get stick for signing yet another U23s youngster, but Jordan Stevens is a player who has been extensively scouted by Everton and Brighton for a while.
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) January 31, 2018
A very promising 17-year-old central midfielder who only turned pro in September. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/5LQ9oZpnKr
Leeds have captured the signature of Forest Green’s teenage starlet Jordan Stevens. The 17 year-old midfielder had been in-demand by a lot of clubs and Leeds will feel lucky to have grabbed his signature late in the January transfer window. It’s rumoured that both Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion have been interested in the youngster, so Leeds have beat some big-spending big boys to the lad’s signature.
Forest Green are spending their first season in the Football League this season after winning promotion through the play-offs last season. Forest Green is most famous for being a “vegan football club” as their chairman, Dale Vince, is vegan and has banned all animal products from being sold at the club since the end of 2015. In addition to being vegan, the club really is “Green,” as Vince made his fortune in renewal energy and even the lawnmower at the club is powered by the sun.
Leeds' January 2018 signings:
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) January 29, 2018
Y. Ideguchi, CM, 21 (Gamba Osaka)
A. Halme, CB, 19 (HJK Helsinki)
L. De Bock, LB, 25 (Club Brugge)
K. Miazek, GK, 21 (unattached)
O. Šarkić, ST, 20 (Benfica)
A. Forshaw, DM, 26 (M'boro)
S. Dalby, ST, 18 (Leyton Orient)
P. Struijk, CB, 18 (Ajax)
Stevens has made 15 senior appearances for Forest Green Rovers this season, and he’s scored one goal. Leeds have made signing promising youth players a priority this season, as the club have brought in players from all over Europe, including snatching players from such powerhouses as Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Benfica.
Leeds even signed a promising young defender from the vaunted youth program at Ajax this January, 18 year-old Pascal Struijk and also added 19 year-old striker Tyler Roberts from West Bromwich Albion earlier today. While Roberts is set for the first team, a lot of players have been added to the youth ranks, building the Academy and promising a future a bright future for the club.
If you get a chance, go check out the U23s in action, and you’ll see the future of the club on display. MOT.