IT’S OFFICIAL: Leeds United land both Ben White and Jack Harrison on loan

Leeds United announced today that they have signed Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White and Manchester City winger Jack Harrison on season-long loans.

Per the club’s official website:

Leeds United are delighted to announce the signings of Jack Harrison and Ben White, who have both joined the club on season-long loan deals.

Highly rated central defender White joins the club from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 21-year-old has made two first team appearances for Brighton and has also had a number of loan stints away from the American Express Community Stadium.

Winger Harrison rejoins Leeds from Premier League champions Manchester City, having spent last season on loan at Elland Road.

During the 2018/19 campaign, Harrison was a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s side and came up with important goals, including a last minute equaliser away at Millwall in September, as well as the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road in April.

The club also has an option to make Harrison’s signing a permanent deal at the end of the 2019/20 season.

It is interesting to note that after not adding any defensive reinforcements that the club has added White to the roster this season. There were a number of injuries to the central defence last season, meaning that midfielder Kalvin Phillips had to fill in at centre back on a number of occasions. And while Phillips played pretty well, there wasn’t a whole lot of depth behind him and Gaetano Berardi, who is normally a full back. Aapo Halme even had to come up from the U23s to play away at Sheffield United last season and Pascal Struijk had to make a number of appearances on the bench later in the season.

The other interesting thing to note about this announcement is that Leeds have negotiated a clause to make the Harrison deal permanent at the end of the season. That’s something that will probably only be activated if Leeds are promoted, meaning that the coaching staff thinks highly enough of Harrison for him to be in the long-term plans of the club.

What do you think of the loan deals? Like them? Hate them? Let us know in the comments!