Leeds Academy midfielder Theo Hudson signs professional contract

Another youngster joins the ranks of the professionals at the club.

The teenage midfielder put pen to paper today signing a one-year deal. Per the club’s official website:

Hudson’s one year contract will begin on July 1st 2019, running until the end of the 2019/20 season.

The 18-year-old midfielder has played a key role for Leeds United’s Under-18s over the past season, with only goal difference preventing the side from winning the Professional Development League North.

He made 23 appearances during the campaign, netting five goals and will now step up to Under-23 level, looking to emulate the likes of Jack Clarke and Jamie Shackleton who have gone on to break into the first team.

Hudson was also quoted by the site, saying:

It’s a dream come true for me and my family.

I’ve been at the club since I was nine-years-old, it has been amazing growing up here and coming through the ranks with my team-mates.

We did well last season, we were disappointed not to win our league and progress in the Play-Offs, but it was still a memorable campaign and one to remember.

Seeing players progress from the Academy to the first team on a regular basis gives everyone a real belief that it is possible and not too far away, hopefully I can go on to achieve the same as them.

It’s good to see another young midfielder agree professional terms with the club, as Leeds aren’t the kind of club that just go out and buy success at the Championship level. Marcelo Bielsa is willing to get the U23s involved in the first team, so there is a good chance we might see Hudson on the back of a Leeds shirt this season on the pitch at Elland Road for a first-team match. We’ll see how he does with the U23s before we start anointing him the next Lewis Cook or even Jamie Shackleton.