Youngster Dawson signs new contract

-
leedsunited.com 8/5/13
Chris gets his reward... Highly-rated youngster Chris Dawson has signed a new three-year contract with the club.
The 18-year-old, who made his first team debut against Derby in April, was already under contract until 2015, but he has accepted the offer of a new three-year deal, and is looking forward to the future.
"I'm really pleased with how my season has gone and this is a reward at the end of it," said Chris.
"At the start, I was hoping to maybe get a one-year 'pro' by Christmas and then kick-on next season, but it's obviously gone a lot better than expected and I've got three years now.
"This will give me a lot more opportunities and I have more time to work things and improve."
Chris started the campaign in the Under-18s and moved up to the Under-21s where he scored seven goals in 12 appearances.
"As a first year scholar I didn't get an opportunity all season, but this year I started in the 18s and I have become a better player by playing more games and I hope to carry that on next season as well," he said.
"I moved up to the Under-21s and did well there, and I got my chance in the first team. Hopefully I can do well there next season. After my first year when I didn't expect to get anything at all, it's a great feeling."
The culmination of Chris's season came on Easter Monday when he made his first team debut against Derby County at Elland Road.
"It was nervy at first, but once you're on the pitch it's okay," he said.
"I'd never played at the level before, but you get used to it once you've done it. I try and stay level headed. I know what I need to do to become the player I want to be, so things don't faze me too much."
Chris has also been involved on the international stage, making his Wales Under-21 debut in January.
"It's been a good experience playing against other countries at that level and it can only make me a better player," he said.
Like all Academy graduates, Chris was quick to pay tribute to the coaching staff at the club, and despite missing the closing weeks with a shoulder injury, new manager Brian McDermott has offered words of encouragement for next term.
"The Academy has been really important," said Chris. "I've had a lot of encouragement from all the staff. It helps when you talk to them.
"I've spoken with the new manager a couple of times and he seems like a really good guy. The style of football he plays suits me so I can't wait for it to start.
"I had a shoulder operation a few weeks ago which has gone well so I'm looking forward to pre-season now. If I can play a part in pre-season hopefully I can impress and see where it goes."

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun...
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,...
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o...
Read more