Leeds United have confirmed that defender Liam Kitching has joined Forest Green Rovers on a permanent deal.
The League Two side have paid an undisclosed fee for the 19-year-old, who had two years left on his Elland Road deal.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a pair of loan spells at his local side Harrogate Town over the past two seasons, turning out 34 times for the Wetherby Road side in the National League last season.
Kitching came up through the Thorp Arch academy and established himself in Carlos Corberan's under-23 side before heading out on loan. He made an appearance on the first-team bench for the January 2018 FA Cup third round defeat at Newport, but leaves Elland Road without a senior appearance.
“I’m delighted to be here and I didn’t have any second thoughts when I heard about the opportunity," the teenager told Forest Green's website.
“I came and met the manager and had a look around the club and it’s a really good place and they sold it to me straight away.
“I’ve been out on loan for the past two years and I think it is time for the step up now to really give it a good go.”
Kitching has signed a three-year deal at The New Lawn.
Forest Green, who provided Leeds' first pre-season friendly opposition last summer, finished fifth in League Two last term and lost in the play-offs to Tranmere Rovers.
