Some Leeds players react to Liam Kitching deal

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The 18-year-old signed a new contract with Leeds United on Friday.

Lewie Coyle and Paudie O’Connor have congratulated Leeds United team-mate Liam Kitching on his new contract.

Kitching signed a three-year professional contract with Leeds on Friday, before joining Harrogate Town on loan.

The highly-rated 18-year-old defender joins the Vanarama National League side until January.

Kitching was a prominent player for the Whites’ Under-23 side last season, where he played alongside O’Connor prior to the Irishman’s promotion to the senior team under Paul Heckingbottom.

And O’Connor and Coyle have reacted to United’s announcement of the news on Twitter:

All three have been sent on loan this summer.

Coyle, who impressed with Fleetwood Town last term, has re-joined Joey Barton’s side on a six-month deal, while O’Connor signed for Blackpool on a season-long loan.

This is a good move for Kitching. At his age, one more season under Carlos Corberan in the Under-23s wouldn’t have been detrimental in the slightest, but this accelerates his development and it will be interesting to see where he’s at by January.

He is unlikely to be good enough for Leeds’ senior squad by then, but one would hope that he has progressed significantly when he returns to Elland Road in six months.