Barry Douglas & Jack Clarke react as Leeds confirm major Friday announcement
Leeds United have confirmed that defender Niall Huggins has signed a new contract at Elland Road on Friday morning.
The Welsh youngster has put pen-to-paper on a new two-and-a-half-year deal which will see him remain in West Yorkshire until 2023.
Huggins has been an ever-present in the under-23s this season but travelled with the senior squad for the Premier League clash with Everton last weekend.
The left-back celebrated his new deal by sharing a post on his personal Instagram account, which simply said he was “delighted.”
A number of past and present players from Elland Road have reacted to the news, and the recurring message was that Huggins fully deserves this.
Barry Douglas and Jack Clarke have both featured alongside the defender in recent years, and both have reacted to the Friday announcement.
Clarke sent his congratulations, while Douglas was clearly excited by the update: “Go on the boy,” he wrote.
The Scottish international is someone that Huggins will be wanting to replicate in the next few years, by breaking into the first-team and taking his spot.
Having watched the under-23s for the past couple of seasons, Huggins is definitely one of those who have stood out at Thorp Arch.
Mark Jackson has kept faith in the youngster, and he has cemented his spot at left-back as the academy replicate Marcelo Bielsa’s system.
El Loco has been present for nearly every single game played by the under-23s, and he will enjoy Huggins – a player who isn’t afraid to get on the ball and charge forward when needed.
His relentless energy going forward and coming back is reminiscent of Ezgjan Alioski, but Huggins can certainly bring more flair to that role.
This is certainly an exciting announcement, and we expect to see the Welsh youngster in the Premier League squad more this season.
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