Leeds United: Lewis Bate sends message as Elland Road exit confirmed in last 24 hours
Lewis Bate sent a message on Twitter after his Leeds United loan exit to League One outfit MK Dons was confirmed on Friday.
The Whites announced on their official website (19 January) that the rarely-seen player has departed West Yorkshire to join MK Dons on a loan deal until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old midfielder has made one first-team appearance for the Whites this season, coming off the bench in the Carabao Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town at Elland Road (9 August).
And Bate took to his personal Twitter account (19 January) to share that he is delighted by the opportunity and cannot wait to finally play football in his new surroundings.
He wrote: “Delighted to be here and excited for this chapter, can’t wait to get playing again.”
Needs the opportunity
Sending Bate to play lower-league football offers him valuable first-team experience, aiding his growth and maturation as a midfielder.
The 21-year-old’s career had stagnated a bit having rarely featured for the Whites all season and it was about time the club sorted him out a loan move to get his development back on track.
Exposure to different playing styles and physicality in lower leagues enhances his adaptability and overall skill set.
However, it is imperative the Whites keep an eye on his development as there could well be an opportunity to sell him for a healthy windfall should he impress at MK Dons.
With his contract set to expire in the summer, monitoring the situation is crucial to prevent the risk of losing him on a free transfer.
By staying informed about his progress and involvement at MK Dons, Leeds can assess whether he continues to develop and mature his game as anticipated.
This is a great move all-round for Bate who had become a forgotten man at Elland Road and you can see from his tweet that he is desperate to start playing again.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay claims that the Whites are seriously considering acceptable offers for one player with a new signing on the cards.
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