Leeds United teen completes loan switch to League One club after Jesse Marsch summit

Leeds United have agreed a loan deal with League One club Oxford United for teenage midfielder Lewis Bate.

The 19-year-old signed for the Whites last summer in a reported £1.5 million deal from Chelsea and made a handful of first-team appearances during his first season at Elland Road.

Following discussions with the club hierarchy, Bate has chosen to join Karl Robinson’s Oxford on loan for the 2022/23 campaign.

The ex-Blue did have offers from a number of clubs, however Robinson is understood to be a keen admirer of the deep-lying midfielder.

Oxford do not have an option to buy in Bate’s loan move who remains a highly-rated individual at Thorp Arch.

Leeds foresee a future for the teenager at Elland Road and the hope is for Bate to gain valuable first-team exposure in the Football League this season.

A statement from Leeds United read: “Everyone at Leeds United wishes Lewis the best of luck as he aims to continue his development in this loan spell at Oxford United.”

Unlike previous seasons, young players leaving Leeds on loan no longer constitutes a soft exit and the club’s insistence that Bate has a role to play in future is a clear indicator of that.

Robinson’s side have finished in the League One play-offs twice in the last three seasons, finishing in eighth place during 2021/22.

Leeds also have the option to recall Bate from the Kassam Stadium throughout his loan spell.