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Andy Gray reacts as 'Fantastic' youngster exits Leeds
Former Leeds United player Andy Gray has tipped Matthew Downing to shine at Bradford Park Avenue after it was confirmed he had left Elland Road to join the non-league side.
Bradford PA announced on their website on Monday that Downing, 20, had agreed to join them after spending 15 years of being on the books at Leeds.
Gray, who is the nephew of Leeds legend Eddie Gray and spent two spells as a player for the Whites, has since given fans of the National League North side reasons to be excited by their new arrival.
“Matty is a modern-day full-back as he is equally adept going forward as he defensively, he has fantastic energy and desire to get up and down the pitch and he produces quality delivery in the final third,” said Gray, as quoted on the Bradford PA website.
It is a shame that it never worked out for Downing at Leeds but at the end of the day, he has what a lot of young players would love to have – 15 years of experience from one of the best youth set-ups in the country.
It will stand Downing in good stead for the rest of his career but the most important thing for him will be to prove himself at Bradford PA first.
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Downing broke his leg last season and it took him a long time to recover from his injury hell.
It could be one of the reasons that led to him leaving Leeds but the truth is that a lot of young players struggle to cut the mustard at Thorp Arch.
If Downing impresses in Bradford then maybe we’ll see him at an EFL club in the near future.
That’s what we hope happens and Gray’s rousing praise of the youngster is bound to be a major confidence boost.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has said whether the leaked Adidas away kit for next season is real.