Record-breaker who was wanted by established Premier League big guns signs professional Leeds United deal

NORTHERN Ireland youth international Charlie Allen has signed his first professional contract with Leeds United, penning terms with the Whites until the summer of 2023.
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Leeds beat off stiff competition from a host of established Premier League big guns to sign the teenager from Northern Irish outfit Linfield for an undisclosed fee in August.

Allen had been Linfield's youngest ever debutant at the age of 15 and having now turned 17, the attacking midfielder has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal at Elland Road, running until the summer of 2023.

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Capped five times by Northern Ireland's under-17s, Allen had attracted interest from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur before joining the Leeds Academy.

FIRST PRO DEAL: For Northern Ireland under-17s international Charlie Allen with the Whites. Picture by LUFC.FIRST PRO DEAL: For Northern Ireland under-17s international Charlie Allen with the Whites. Picture by LUFC.
FIRST PRO DEAL: For Northern Ireland under-17s international Charlie Allen with the Whites. Picture by LUFC.

Allen said: “I’m really pleased, as a young kid you always dream of signing a professional contract.

“It’s my first one, I’ve got it and hopefully it’s the first of many, 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.

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“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.”

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Thank you Laura Collins

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