Jonny Howson makes Leeds United playing return with surprise appearance after Middlesbrough exit — Leeds Live 26/7/25
The ex-Middlesbrough man has not been announced by Leeds yet
Jonny Howson is set to become Leeds United's new
player/coach at the under-21s as was revealed by LeedsLive earlier this week.
The 37-year-old declined the chance to sign a one-year extension with
Middlesbrough to instead return to where it all started, by switch ingto Leeds
United's academy.
The Morley-born midfielder has not been announced by Leeds
as a new coach, with no word from Howson either since he left Boro at the start
of the week, but LeedsLive understands the deal is done. While his switch to
Leeds has not been confirmed by the club, it's no longer a secret with the
veteran stepping out for a Leeds United XI this afternoon in a match against
Hartlepool United.
The game, a testimonial for long-serving Nicky Featherstone, sees the likes of Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt get minutes under their belt in a line-up that is a mixture of under-21s and under-18s, with a few first team players sprinkled on top. Both Bamford and Gelhardt are set to move on from Leeds this summer, hence their absence from the pre-season camp in Germany.
Alfie Cresswell and Sam Greenwood are also named in the
line-up, with Howson named on the bench for the testimonial fixture.
Howson spent five years with Norwich City after leaving
Leeds United in 2012, and then moved on to Middlesbrough where he became a huge
fan favourite. He was out of contract this summer and had been in talks with
Boro over a one-year extension until a chance to move back to Leeds was
presented to him.