Mateo Joseph's 17 goals were crucial in Leeds' promotion bid, but it's not just his contributions in the final third that make him the YEP's U21 Player of the Year. The England U20 forward is ceaseless in his running of the channels, a tireless presser of opponents and has come on leaps and bounds since arriving last January. A fine season and soon-to-be a bonafide first-team option. (Picture credit: David Davies/PA)placeholder image
Mateo Joseph's 17 goals were crucial in Leeds' promotion bid, but it's not just his contributions in the final third that make him the YEP's U21 Player of the Year. The England U20 forward is ceaseless in his running of the channels, a tireless presser of opponents and has come on leaps and bounds since arriving last January. A fine season and soon-to-be a bonafide first-team option. (Picture credit: David Davies/PA)

Leeds United U21s end-of-year awards including play-off winners' Player of the Season and unsung hero

Joe Donnohue
By Joe Donnohue

Leeds United journalist

Published 16th May 2023, 08:00 GMT

The YEP selects their Leeds United Under-21 award winners after the young Whites win promotion from Premier League 2 Division 2 with play-off victory against Nottingham Forest.

Leeds’ youngsters capped a successful season by clinching victory in PL2 Division 2’s play-off final at Elland Road on Monday, May 15.

United secured their spot back in Division 1 for the 2023/24 campaign thanks to goals from Georginio Rutter, Jeremiah Mullen and Kris Moore in a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Here are the YEP’s picks for Player of the Season, Goal of the Season, Performance of the Season (Team) and much more.

Darko Gyabi's performance in the 3-0 win against Derby County U21s is one which sticks in the memory. A physically dominant, creative display in which he picked up an assist for Sonny Perkins with a delightful, defence-splitting through ball after wrestling possession free. This display was one of several standout performances over the course of the campaign. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

7. Performance of the Season (Individual): Darko Gyabi

Darko Gyabi's performance in the 3-0 win against Derby County U21s is one which sticks in the memory. A physically dominant, creative display in which he picked up an assist for Sonny Perkins with a delightful, defence-splitting through ball after wrestling possession free. This display was one of several standout performances over the course of the campaign. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) Photo: David Rogers

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Leeds U21s' team performance of the season came away at Southampton in February. After a brief, mid-season wobble with the Saints breathing down their necks, the Whites took an early two-goal lead and held out for all three points on the south coast. Bodies on the line, challenges flying in and some real quality attacking. A young team on the night, made up of a handful of U18s against the likes of Saints first-teamers James Bree, Joe Aribo, Alex McCarthy and Sam Edozie. (Pic: Steve Riding)

8. Performance of the Season (Team): 2-1 vs Southampton (a)

Leeds U21s' team performance of the season came away at Southampton in February. After a brief, mid-season wobble with the Saints breathing down their necks, the Whites took an early two-goal lead and held out for all three points on the south coast. Bodies on the line, challenges flying in and some real quality attacking. A young team on the night, made up of a handful of U18s against the likes of Saints first-teamers James Bree, Joe Aribo, Alex McCarthy and Sam Edozie. (Pic: Steve Riding) Photo: Steve Riding

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Kris Moore has played left-back, right-back and on either side of central defence this season for the 21s, really stepping up to the plate when it mattered, leading by example. A worthy recipient of the Mr. Versatile award, as well as a contender alongside Mullen for the Unsung Hero prize.

9. Mr. Versatile: Kris Moore

Kris Moore has played left-back, right-back and on either side of central defence this season for the 21s, really stepping up to the plate when it mattered, leading by example. A worthy recipient of the Mr. Versatile award, as well as a contender alongside Mullen for the Unsung Hero prize. Photo: YEP

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Affectionately known as 'Snowy' by his teammates, the ex-Man City youngster chalked up one goal and four assists for the promotion winners this season, stepping up from the U18s with aplomb. Next year in Division 1 should be a challenge, but a beneficial one for his development (Pic: Leeds United)

10. Breakout Season: Joe Snowdon

Affectionately known as 'Snowy' by his teammates, the ex-Man City youngster chalked up one goal and four assists for the promotion winners this season, stepping up from the U18s with aplomb. Next year in Division 1 should be a challenge, but a beneficial one for his development (Pic: Leeds United) Photo: Leeds United

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