Harry Gray’s immediate future looks to be decided
James Smailes Head of All Out Rugby League and Yorkshire sport at Reach plc
05:00, 06 Jul 2026
Harry Gray playing for Rotherham United(Image: Pete Norton/Getty Images)
Leeds United have settled on one of their key decisions for the summer in deciding what comes next for teenage rising star Harry Gray.
The 17-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Rotherham United where he played 20 times for the Millers, scoring three goals in a side fighting in the lower reaches of League One. The plan was always to send Gray out on loan again this coming season, although the exact timing of that loan deal was uncertain.
Like he did last year, Daniel Farke was understood to be keen on taking Gray away with the first team for their summer training camp and taking a close look at the younger brother of Tottenham Hotspur’s Archie Gray. Harry went to German last summer with the first team squad and having impressed, was in and around the matchday squad for the start of last season.
There was every chance of a repeat, with Gray possibly heading to the USA with Leeds this summer so Farke could assess his progress at close quarters. However, with so much interest in the young player, Leeds have taken the decision to allow Gray to make an early loan move this summer to allow him to settle into his new side during pre-season, to give him the best opportunity when the campaign begins.
Another Yorkshire move was guaranteed, the only question was to which side, with Sheffield Wednesday now appearing to have won that battle ahead of Huddersfield Town.
The Owls have new owners and a new ambition after the calamitous end to the Dejphon Chansiri era, with Gray set to get an opportunity at Hillsborough alongside a former team-mate of his brother in ex-Leeds club captain and promotion winner Liam Cooper.
The 34-year-old left Elland Road for CSKA Sofia two years ago, staying a year before moving to League One Wednesday. Cooper’s presence is a big plus for Leeds, knowing the popular ex-captain will no doubt take the teenager under his wing.
Gray, who has long been identified as a Leeds first team star in the making, will hope he can play a role in helping the Owls compete at the top end of League One this season, after fighting against relegation from the same division last season.