Leeds United defender Liam Kitching extends loan deal at Harrogate Town

Leeds United might need some defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window, but Liam Kitching won’t be one of them.

The central defender extended his loan to Harrogate Town today, meaning the 19 year-old defender will see out the season with the National League side.

Kitching has four goals and four assists this season for Harrogate Town, and has also been used as a left back in addition to his usual role at centre back. Kitching told the Harrogate Advertiser:

I’m delighted to be staying here until the end of the season. it’s been great experience playing every week and I am really enjoying my football.

It’s been great because of how well we’ve done this season and also because I feel I have come on a lot as a player. I’ve always been a centre-half but I’ve learned how to play left-back and that’s another string to my bow. I think it’s a good thing to be versatile.

This is a great club with some great coaches and I think they’ve taught me a lot. I’m very thankful to Simon Weaver and Paul Thirlwell for everything they’ve done and I’m hoping that by staying on I can help us achieve our goal of another promotion.

Kitching spent the final part of the season on loan at Harrogate Town last season, helping the Yorkshire team achieve promotion to the National League from the National League North, and they’ve been near the top of the table all season in the National League.

Harrogate Town currently sit in 6th place on 47 points from 28 games, good enough for a spot in the playoffs. London side Leyton Orient are on top of the division, while Salford City, Wrexham, AFC Flyde, Solihull Moors, and Gateshead are all in the playoff positions with Harrogate Town. A good finish to the season will solidify their playoff position and put them in the running to achieve League status for the first time in their history.