Former Linfield wonderkid Charlie Allen says it is a “dream” come true to sign his first professional contract with Leeds United.
Allen, who only turned 17 last month, secured a move to the Leeds Academy from the Irish League champions for an undisclosed fee in August.
And the Yorkshire club confirmed today the versatile teenage forward has penned a two-and-a-half year deal at Elland Road, running until the summer of 2023.
Allen, who became Linfield’s youngest debutant in April 2019 at the age of 15, had been tracked by the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Rangers prior to moving to Leeds.
“As a young kid you always dream of signing a professional contract, so I’m really pleased,” the Northern Ireland underage international told the Leeds United website.
“It’s my first one, I’ve got it and hopefully it’s the first of many, but now it’s time to kick on with my career.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at the club so far, playing regularly with the Under-18s every week and being around the Under-23s and first team.
“You see what they do every day and it’s good to watch and be involved in. I feel like my game has evolved over the few months I have been here.
“I just want to keep getting as many minutes as I can, hopefully play for the Under-23s and of course the ultimate goal is to play first team football.”
Carrickfergus native Allen, who is a graduate of the Irish FA’s JD Club NI programme, recently earned rave reviews while captaining Leeds’ U21 side in the EFL Cup.
