Credit: Imago

James Barker

Fri 27 March 2026 14:10, UK

Leeds United winger Zach Hitchen became the Club’s youngest ever Under-18s goalscorer at just 14-years and 213 days old against Middlesbrough.

Thorp Arch is renowned for consistently producing some of the most talented youngsters in English football, and Leeds appear to have another one on their hands in Hitchen.

Leeds’ Under-18s side currently sit ninth of 14 in the North section of the Under-18 Premier League, which is an improvement on their 13th-placed finish last season.

Rob Etherington’s side have won two of their last three games, and have six more games of their season to play.

Leeds Under-18s played Middlesbrough on Saturday 21 March, and it’s here where we may just have seen a glimpse of a future Elland Road star.

How did Zach Hitchen set Leeds United Under-18s record?

Leeds have some talented youngsters emerging at the moment across numerous age categories, and Hitchen is seemingly very much one to watch.

Already an England Under-15 international, the teenager is already turning heads both at his club and for his country.

However, up until recently, his exploits had largely been kept to those from within Thorp Arch, but now a record-setting moment against Middlesbrough last Saturday threatens that.

As detailed via an Instagram post by The Talent Hunter, Hitchens scored for Leeds’ Under-18s in a 2-1 win over Boro last weekend.

It wasn’t the flashiest goal the youngster will ever score, as he latched onto a low-driven cross to pass the ball into the net from six-yards out, but it was one that sees him right his name into Leeds academy history.

That’s because at the tender age of 14 years and 213 days old, Hitchen has now become Leeds Under-18s’ youngster ever goalscorer.

As the Talent Hunter’s post states, he’s been playing most of this season for the Under-16 side, but evidently those within Thorp Arch feel he’s already at the stage of his development where he can compete at Under-18 level.

Leeds might have anxious few years on their hands with Hitchens

Leeds may well have preferred news of Hitchen’s record-breaking moment to stay confined to Thorp Arch, as they could face a battle to keep hold of him over the next couple of years.

Clubs can’t sign an academy player to a professional contract until they turn 17, despite the fact they can be offered a pro deal in their Under-16 year, it can’t be signed before their 17th birthday.

That means that in the intervening years before that point, clubs can do very little to stop players moving to a different team if they wish.

Compensation does have to be paid by the other club if they want to take a player who isn’t signed to a pro contract, but other than that, there’s nothing really preventing a player leaving at fairly short notice.

Therefore, Leeds will probably be wishing away the years until Hitchens is old enough to sign a pro contract with them judging by what he’s already achieving at Thorp Arch.

Top work young man!