While Leeds United’s first-team have been looking to impress Thomas Christiansen, the next generation have been doing their bit.
Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen was quick to take a closer look at some of the club’s next generation following his appointment, selecting Paudie O’Connor, Paul McKay and Conor Shaugnessy in the early summer friendlies before taking the latter on tour to Austria.
However, with a number of new signings arriving over the last few weeks, most of the club’s teenage prospects had to make do with pre-season preparations with the second string, not that it affected their performances.
Here we take a look at three Leeds under-23 players who have excelled this summer:
Jamie Shackleton
Tipped for stardom by former Leeds boss and academy head Neil Redfearn, midfielder Jamie Shackleton has shone for the second string this summer.
The 17-year-old scored a fine goal in a 1-1 draw with Tadcaster Albion before again finding the net in a 1-0 win against Scarborough last time out.
He is showing all the signs of a star in the making and should feature a lot for the under-23s this season.
Romario Vieira
The lesser know Vieira is unlikely to remain that way for long. While his twin brother Ronaldo has blossomed at Elland Road, Romario is steadily showing what he can do in the academy.
This summer the midfielder has been the standout player on more than one occasion and it will surely not be long before he gets a first-team chance at Leeds.
Robbie Gotts
At the end of last month Robbie Gotts signed his first professional contract at Leeds, and in time he should be turning out regularly at Elland Road.
Still only 17, he already has experience playing with the under-23s last season and his dazzling skills have been impressing coaches since he was six.
He looked the part against Scarborough and is only going to get better from here.
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