Leeds United have finally signed Jack Harrison on a permanent deal from Manchester City after three years and 128 appearances on loan. Part of the initial loan deal was an agreement for Leeds to sign Harrison for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be around £11-15 million, which has now been activated by the club.
Leeds have been linked with various wide men this summer, including the Dutchman Noa Lang. But their first signing of the summer is a much more familiar face in wing wizard Jack Harrison. Indeed, it was Harrison who scored Leeds’ first goal back in the Premier League, after 16 years away, last season. It will surely please fans of the Yorkshire club to secure his signature on a three-year deal and at an absolute bargain price in modern terms
Leeds United Announce Jack Harrison Signing on a Permanent Deal
Familiar Face in Jack Harrison Secures Permanent Move
Harrison clearly has massive potential. His ability to produce pinpoint crosses and his athletic commitment and energy are second to none. But there has often been a question mark next to his name in the eyes of many supporters and Mark Carey of the Athletic sums this up rather well: “There is little doubt over Harrison’s talent, but the frustration for Leeds fans has been his inconsistency. He has produced some dazzling performances this season but also faded from view at times. Indeed, the 24-year-old said he spoke with a sport psychologist in an attempt to address his dip in form.”
This in itself is an insight into the man Harrison is. Sports Psychologists are being used more and more often by professional athletes but for a long time. This was a taboo subject, a sign of weakness. But Harrison has never been afraid to do things differently and to be his own man.
A United State of Mind
At the age of 14 Jack Harrison, with the encouragement of his mother, did what most young men would not dream of and left the fabled Manchester United academy. Instead, they decided together that Harrison’s future would be better served in another youth system. In the United States of America. Most would scoff at the suggestion that this would be the smarter decision, but more and more talent is emerging from the USA every year. Sports scholarships and elite College sports competitions put major emphasis on excellence and raise the bar to a very professional level.
It is clear that Harrison enjoyed his time in the States and feels that more young players should take the same chance: “It’s not just the football. You don’t get these types of opportunities in England. I have tried different sports, met people from all over the world, and have travelled all across the US with football.”
Harrison was the first overall pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft and was picked up by New York City, the American sister club of Manchester City. This was his first taste of the big time, sharing the dressing room with some real legends of the game. Spanish hero David Villa thought that Harrison was “something special”. Frank Lampard was able to pass on his knowledge to a fellow Englishman. And Harrison shared the pitch with Pirlo, the Italian one this time: Andrea.
The Long Road Back to the Premier League
Being at New York City with its connections to the Premier League certainly helped Jack Harrison to realise his dream to come back to England. A loan at Middlesbrough was relatively unsuccessful. But Victor Orta had seen enough talent to bring him over to Elland Road. The chance to work with Marcelo Bielsa is one Harrison has relished. And the rest, as they say, is history.
A dramatic return to the elite level and a great first season back in the Premier League has placed Leeds United very nicely ahead of the upcoming campaign. And the Leeds fans now know how critical Jack Harrison is to the future of their beloved club.
Leeds United have finally signed Jack Harrison on a permanent deal. But is he elite enough? Is he the finished article? No one knows. But if his on-the-field efforts and his extreme pre-season holiday workouts are anything to go by, Harrison is on the right track.
Premier League survival achieved. Permanent contract secured. What’s next for Jack Harrison? Instead of stacking up right-backs maybe England could use another left-winger…
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