Leeds United youth player Charlie Allen named in prestigious list of best youngsters in the Premier League

The Whites beat some of Britain’s biggest clubs such as Rangers and Chelsea to his signature, as well as Tottenham and Manchester City, clubs he attended trials at last year. Charlie Allen signed for Leeds in August from Northern Irish side Linfield, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal at Elland Road, running until the summer of 2023.

Although initially a first-year academy scholar at Leeds, the 16-year-old has already been provided the number 70 shirt at the Whites. His deal will turn into a full professional deal when he turns 17 in November.

This week The Guardian named Charlie Allen on their list of the best young talents at Premier League clubs.

Progressing through the academy of his boyhood club, the Northern Irishman was handed his first team debut for Linfield in April 2019, and set up teammate Daniel Reynolds for Linfield’s goal in a 1-1 draw with Coleraine. Allen became the youngest player ever to make his debut for Linfield’s starting line-up at the age of just 15 years and five months.

While still a schoolboy, Allen made a further seven senior appearances for the Belfast team last season. He was also featured in Linfield’s 25-man Champions League squad by manager and ex-Leeds striker, David Healy. Allen has also been capped by Northern Ireland at youth level.

On his departure from Windsor Park, Healy spoke of the “terrific opportunity” that awaits the highly rated forward.

He told Linfield’s website: “I want to take this opportunity to advise our supporters that Charlie Allen will today start an exciting new adventure with Leeds United.

“This is a terrific opportunity for Charlie to progress and develop as a player as a club I know well from my playing days and which is looking forward to an exciting new season back in the Premier League.

“Charlie won’t be 17 until November but Leeds and several other leading clubs see the potential he possesses and the hard work really starts now for Charlie to carve out a career for himself.”

David Healy, who spent three years at Elland Road from 2004, says everyone at Linfield will be keeping close tabs on his development at Leeds. He added: “Charlie progressed through our Academy and made several first team appearances and I know the coaches in our Academy are delighted to see him be given this opportunity at a big club and they too will be watching his progress with interest and willing him to succeed.”

Although the versatile forward hasn’t hit the ground running at Leeds yet, making just one appearance for both the Under-23s and for the Under-18s which both ended in defeat, the Guardian have included him in their top 20 list of best young talents at Premier League clubs, choosing players at each club born between September 1 2003 and August 31 2004, an age band known as first-year scholars.

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