Sam Greenwood profiled - meet Leeds United's highly-rated 'two-footed' youngster

Leeds United striker Sam Greenwood bagged an impressive hat-trick for the Under-23s against Sunderland on Monday - but who is he?
Leeds United's Sam Greenwood in action for England. (Getty)Leeds United's Sam Greenwood in action for England. (Getty)
Leeds United's Sam Greenwood in action for England. (Getty)

Sam Greenwood has four goals in just three games for Leeds United's development side since joining the club from Arsenal this summer - here's what you need to know about the England prospect.

What is Sam Greenwood's background?

Sam Greenwood is a striker who is originally from Sunderland.

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The 18-year-old attacker, who can play out wide as well as up front, has a prolific goalscoring record as a youth international.

Greenwood, a product of Sunderland's academy, joined Arsenal two years ago and scored 10 times for their Under 18s team.

A professional deal followed last summer with the Gunners and he had game time with the Under 23s and trained with the first team on occasion.

For England Under 17s Greenwood netted 12 goals in 14 games.

When did Sam Greenwood join Leeds United?

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Greenwood swapped Arsenal for Leeds United this summer as he put pen to paper on a three-year deal in West Yorkshire.

The Whites paid an undisclosed six-figure fee with add ons for his services as part of their ongoing development recruitment.

What has Sam Greenwood said?

"For me, it seems like [Leeds] has such a good pathway for young players to come through. It is such an exciting manager and the fans are special," Greenwood said of his move to Elland Road this summer.

"I look up to players like Kalvin Phillips all the time - he has broken into the England squad and it is a very proud moment for him and I am sure he will be over the moon with that and something I would love to do in the future."

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He added: "Arsenal is a great club and I have met some great people along the way, but for me in my career, it is perfect time to come to Leeds and kick on now.

"My target is to hopefully try and make a breakthrough and hopefully make a name for myself among the Leeds fans and kick on.

"I started at Sunderland and got the move to Arsenal. Now I have come here, I feel like I relate to these people. Obviously, Sunderland is a working-class area similar to Leeds and I think I will fit in at this kind of environment perfectly.

"I am a striker who is both footed and like to make runs in behind and like to run at defenders and find half a yard and get my shots off."

What have people said about Sam Greenwood?

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“All the way through he was a fantastic lad to coach with a great attitude,” said former Sunderland youth coach Paul Bryson.

"He always had the ability to unlock defences. Very good technically and excellent from dead-ball situations.

“His delivery from corners and free-kicks was good and he scored some wonderful goals at Sunderland.

“The biggest thing, he could score as equally a good goal with his right foot as his left foot. He’s got two great feet, technically very good with both."

How close is Sam Greenwood to the first team?

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Given Greenwood is fairly new to the Elland Road ranks he is expected to be a player for the future.

Marcelo Bielsa, though, monitors his Under-23s squad with a close eye and no doubt his opening performances at development level will have caught the eye having scored four goals in three games.

United have Patrick Bamford, record signing Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts as senior striking options currently.

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