Leeds United have confirmed the extension of Liam Kitching’s loan deal to Harrogate Town for the remainder of the season. The 18-year-old previously contractual agreement with the non-league outfit was only for a short-month but it seems like his impressive display has been hard to let go off while chasing promotion.
📰 | Leeds United can confirm Harrogate Town have extended @Liamkitching48’s loan deal until the end of the season
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— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 16, 2018
Harrogate have accumulated 59 points this season and are on course to play in the National League next season. The Sulphurites are just a couple of points behind league leaders, Salford City thanks to the goal that Kitching scored in the 3-1 win over Leamington last weekend.
The centre-back got his side the lead right after the home team equalized and marked his 6th appearance. His academy teammates, Jack Clarke and Jamie Shackleton took to Twitter to send their praise and well wishes to the 18-year-old.
The promise of first-team football is always hard for a teenager and the best way to go about it is to prove one’s talent while away on loan. Kitching seems to be delivering on that promise quite well and the past month should be nothing but a boost for his chances to feature for the Leeds senior team next season.
When asked about Kitching’s loan-deal extension, Leeds United academy manager, Adam Underwood said,“We’ve had really positive feedback on Liam’s performances at Harrogate Town and extending his loan until the end of the season is the right thing for his development at this time.”
Kitching was on the bench for Leeds United’s FA Cup clash against Newport County earlier in January. He has enjoyed a fruitful time with the Peacocks’ U23 sides over the first half of the season.
The newly appointed Paul Heckingbottom is a manager who favours young talent and this will give the Leeds academy products like Kitching a huge boost for the future. The club is enduring a tough period in the EFL Championship currently and the following summer might be met with a lot of senior personnel making an exit.
Andrea Radrizzani has been more than accommodating to the wishes of Thomas Christiansen and he would like to do the same with the new head coach. He would want to see his side return to winning ways and start emulating the run of form that they started the season off with.
Kitching has a lot of promise that can be developed over time with similar loan spells in the future. Or the current season might be testament enough to convince Heckingbottom in trying out the teenage defender ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
