By Pranav Shahaney

28th Mar, 2023 | 3:10pm

Leeds United teenager Luca Thomas trains with first team during international break

Leeds United starlet Luca Thomas was part of first-team training at Thorp Arch for the first time since he moved from Manchester City.

He left the Citizens ahead of the 2021/22 campaign and joined the under-18s Whites team where he had an incredible first season.

The Englishman, 18, bagged 15 goals in 17 matches in the Under-18s Premier League North in 2021/22, which is what saw him earn his first professional contract at Elland Road. [Leeds United official website]

LUFC Youth, a reliable account for all things related to Thorp Arch, took to Twitter to write, “Leeds United under-18s attacker Luca Thomas has been involved in first team training this week.”

What helps Thomas stand out from the rest of the attackers his age is his ability to play in any three of the attacking positions.

The Crewe-born talent prefers playing off the right but has been deployed centrally on a number of occasions and can also operate on the left wing.

Training with the senior team, perhaps with Javi Gracia present or keeping tabs on the sessions, would have been immense for the 18-year-old.

It would also ensure that Gracia now has his eyes on him and if he continues to impress for the under-18s along with being a standout talent in training, he may not be far away from his senior debut.

Sure, there are quite a few players ahead of him in the pecking order, but they could be loaned out next season and if he continues getting impressive goal-scoring numbers, he will soon be hard to turn down.

In other Leeds United, the Whites are now in pole position to seal their first signing under Javi Gracia despite interest from a Premier League rival.

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