Leeds United: Clubs want rule change after Lewis Pirie transfer
Scottish clubs are considering lowering the age at which players can sign professional contracts to prevent teams from doing what Leeds United did when they signed Lewis Pirie.
According to Press and Journal on 4 March, this move comes in response to increased interest from English clubs in Scottish youth prospects, prompted by Brexit regulations making it harder to sign foreign players under 18.
By allowing players to sign professional contracts at a younger age, Scottish clubs aim to retain their top talents and ensure fair compensation through transfer fees if players choose to move abroad.
A new transfer approach on the cards for Leeds United?
Leeds signed Pirie when he was a 16-year-old in July 2023 and despite Aberdeen desperate to hand him a professional deal, he ended up snubbing them, per Football Scotland.
Brighton were also keen on the teenager, but the Whites managed to beat them to secure his services.
If the rule change takes place in Scotland, it may prompt Leeds to intensify their scouting efforts there, targeting promising young talents at an earlier age to secure their services before they turn 16.
Additionally, the Whites might face increased competition from Scottish clubs for these young players, as they seek to retain their top talents within their academies.
This could lead to higher transfer fees and more competitive negotiations for Scottish prospects.
While Leeds do not primarily rely on Scottish football, it is a good avenue to recruit young talents and if that’s their strategy for the foreseeable future, it may need to be altered.
In other Leeds United news, a player made his mind up to leave the Whites months ago as Phil Hay shares an update from Elland Road.
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