The Leeds ace spoke after the Whites Under-23s of Carlos Corberan won the Professional Development League title at Elland Road.
Leeds United prodigy Jamie Shackleton could hardly have offered a better assessment of the Championship club’s academy following the Under-23s Professional Development League final triumph against Birmingham City’s Under-23s at Elland Road on Monday.
What turned out to be a tight match ended goalless after extra time and, after two Blues players missed their spot kicks, Jack Clarke stepped up to give the Whites a 4-2 win in the shootout, therefore ensuring the PDL title outright would belong to Leeds.
Leeds U23s had sealed the PDL North title in late March with a 2-0 win over Colchester United before triumphing over PDL South runners-up Coventry City with a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory.
Midfielder turned right-back Shackleton featured in Carlos Corberan’s starting XI against Paul Robinson’s side at Elland Road in front of close to 8,000 fans and, in conversation with Leeds Live, he made his feelings clear about how good the setup is.
“For academy lads all over the country, this is the best place to be,” the 19-year-old Leeds-born ace said. “If you’re good enough you’re given a chance in the first team at some point so if you keep your head down and keep working hard every day in training, then it’s going to come. You’ve got to believe that.”
Leeds first-team boss Marcelo Bielsa has shown faith in the club’s youth players over the course of the season, giving the likes of Shackleton and Jack Clarke opportunities in the first team, the former making his senior debut at Pride Park against Derby County back in August.
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