Leeds United are a side who have again begun to stake their reputation of youth and youth progression at Elland Road. The latest evidence of this is youngster Clark Oduor putting pen to paper on a new deal (below).
Since Andrea Radrizzani took full control from previous owner Massimo Cellino, the Italian media magnate has reinvigorated the youth set-ups at Elland Road.
This was a series of set-ups that were allowed to lie fallow under Cellino’s stewardship of the Elland Road club. Whereas Cellino believed in cost-cutting and budget trimming, Radrizzani had an outlook that focused on youth and its development.
To that end, more emphasis was put on the reformation of the Under-23s and Under-18 as competitive units. Players from high-profile clubs on the continent were brought in, youngsters arriving from the likes of Ajax, Sevilla and even Barcelona.
📰 | #LUFC are pleased to announce @Clarke_Oduor has put pen to paper on a new deal with the club
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 17, 2019
These imports were ingrained alongside youngsters such as Oduor, who is pictured above signing his new deal. It is a deal that extends the 19-year-old’s deal at the club for a further one-and-a-half years; his contract now running until the summer of 2020.
Oduor has been a vital part of the Leeds Untied Under-23s set-up this season, helping them to the top of Professional Development League North.
He’s also graduated to the first-team, making his début in the 2-1 FA Cup third round loss against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
Speaking to the club website on his new deal, Oduour said: “I’m delighted, it is a step forward now. After making my debut in January and now getting this done, I am over the moon. It has been a tough journey, but I feel like I have come a long way over the years.”
As well as extending his current deal at the club until 2020, Leeds United also hold an option of a further year’s extension should they wish to.
