Leeds United received a significant boost earlier this week as prodigiously talented young forward Harry Gray agreed a contract extension at Elland Road.
Harry Gray is on the fringes of the Leeds first-team, having made his senior debut in the Championship last season.
The younger brother of former Leeds star Archie Gray, the England youth international, put pen to paper on a contract which Leeds described as “long-term”, without specifying the exact length.
Gray joined an exclusive Leeds club, which includes James Milner, when he was named in a Premier League matchday squad before his 17th birthday, as he looks to force his way into Daniel Farke’s plans.
Now, Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth has explained why there could be more good news on the horizon for Leeds following Gray’s new deal.
Photo by Pat Scaasi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesHarry Gray is expected to sign another new Leeds United contract
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast, Smyth explained why he believes Gray’s recent deal will not be the last that he signs with Leeds.
According to Smyth, Gray is likely to have signed a new deal which will kick in on his 18th birthday, which will tie him to the club on more lucrative terms. Smyth explained: “So, if you’re under 18, you can only sign a three-year deal.
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“And I think it’ll just follow what happened with his brother, you know, who signed a deal that kicked in when he turned 18. That was a little bit longer.
“I think it was four years, I would say. I mean, ultimately, six months later, he was gone. But he was gone to the tune of 40 million pounds.
“So the contract protected Leeds to a certain degree there. I would imagine that he’ll sign a deal that’s a little bit longer term, probably a little bit more lucrative, that kicks in when he turns 18 in a year’s time.”
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesHarry Gray could return to Leeds’ first-team squad
The news that Gray has committed his future to the club will be a relief to Daniel Farke, who expressed his delight at the news in his press conference before the game against West Ham.
Farke also provided an update on Gray’s fitness as the forward has missed several weeks as he recovers from a hip flexor injury.
According to the Leeds boss, Gray returned to first-team training for the first time in the build-up to the game against West Ham, as Farke manages doubts over the fitness of Noah Okafor and Willy Gnonto.
Having Gray available would be a welcome boost for Farke. However, if Gray is not fit to face West Ham, he should be available for the Premier League trip to Brighton the following week.