Hibernian striker Laidlaw heads to Leeds for trial
Leeds United have taken young Hibernian striker Ethan Laidlaw on trial, according to Not The Old Firm.
Laidlaw, 16, signed his first professional contract with Hibs last month. A statement on the Scottish Premiership club’s website says the teenager is an “agile, quick and skilful attacking player”.
However, it seems that Laidlaw’s spell as a pro at Hibs could be short lived as he’s reportedly headed to Thorp Arch for a trial.
According to the Lufcyouth Twitter account, which is an outstanding source on the academy at Leeds United, Laidlaw’s undergoing a trial in Yorkshire “ahead of a potential summer move”.
Exciting future for Laidlaw
It all sounds as though Laidlaw is someone who’s made quite the impression in the Hibernian youth ranks.
It’s quite an achievement for the young striker to get himself a professional contract at the age of 16 and for him to do it with the club he’s grown up supporting must be the stuff of dreams.
Hibs’ sporting director Graeme Mathie has dubbed Laidlaw a hard worker and says that revealing a potential pathway to the first-team has proven crucial in contract negotiations with the 16-year-old.
But could that all be thrown into doubt by Leeds?
The Premier League club has taken on a number of young players during Victor Orta’s time as director of football with varying results.
Many are still playing at the club at Under-18 and Under-23 level but there are a lot who’ve been to Leeds, failed and have since moved on.
Laidlaw is very young having only recently turned 16 so there’s plenty of time to prove himself at Hibs, Leeds or wherever he ends up.
We want to see as many young players as possible make the grade at Elland Road and if Laidlaw can become one of them then that’s huge.
But for now, let’s see how he gets on with his West Yorkshire trial.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites could make a move to sign this experienced Premier League player in the summer.