Leeds United have confirmed the release of teenage defender Joe Littlewood, with his contract expiring on June 30 – after a trial at Sunderland in April. Littlewood failed to make a senior outing for the Whites.
The Yorkshire side continued their work in the transfer market after the arrivals of Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen, by publishing their retained list on Friday. Littlewood is one of four players to be released.
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Along with 18-year-old Littlewood, Leeds have decided to release Laurens De Bock – another Sunderland fans will know well after a brief loan spell. Alfie Hughes and Josh Galloway have also departed.
Back in April, Littlewood featured twice for Sunderland’s Under-23 side – a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, and a 2-1 win over Birmingham City. Now, he has been released, and it remains to be seen if he will join the Black Cats.
Leeds release Littlewood after Sunderland trial
It comes as little surprise that Leeds will not be keeping Littlewood. The defender did feature for the club’s Under-23 side during 2021-22, but his trial at Sunderland shows he always knew he would be leaving.
Littlewood will now be looking for a new club. He did well on trial at Sunderland, playing at centre-back and right-back in his two outings. But Sunderland have just gained promotion to the Championship.
Will Sunderland consider him, given they are now in England’s second tier and able to attract a new calibre of player? Or will Littlewood have to look for a new home, elsewhere? Time will tell, for the teenager.
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