The Athletic’s Phil Hay reports that Jamie Shackleton is aware that his time at Leeds United is “almost done” after struggling to break into the side over the last 12 months. He has left the club on a loan-to-buy deal at Millwall.
Shackleton, 22, came into the side during the early stages of Marcelo Bielsa’s reign at Elland Road. He has gone on to play 79 times at senior level for the Whites. But a lot of that has been on the right, and not in the middle of the park.
Even on loan at Millwall this season, the England Under-20 international has been used on the right in recent weeks. Gary Rowett is struggling to get his side going, winning just four of 11 league games and winning 13 points.
Charlie Cresswell has also joined Millwall from Leeds on loan. But the defender has only just turned 20 and is yet to win a regular run in the side. Shackleton has had his chance, and according to Hay, is fully aware his time at Leeds is done.
“Shackleton is 22, has had his chance at Leeds and knows that he and the club are almost done. Millwall have an option to buy him when his loan expires,” Hay said, in a recent piece on The Athletic’s website.
Shackleton ‘almost done’ at Leeds: A real shame, plenty of potential
Had Shackleton come into a side where he would have been first choice, the Thorp Arch academy product might have been a regular for years to come. Promotion benefited many, staying in the Championship would have helped him.
It saw him go from starting in the play-offs against Derby, to a fringe player at best. Last season, he managed just seven Premier League starts and that was only because of injuries. Right now, he is a Championship player at best.
But there is no doubt that if he finds himself the right home, where he can play regularly as a midfielder, then he has every chance of returning to the Premier League in the future. A player Jermaine Beckford once said is “phenomenal”.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
