Leeds United left-back exits Elland Road, agrees terms in USA
Scott Godden has left Leeds United to join the Rutgers Scarlet Knights – a varsity university team in New Jersey, USA, with his signing announced on the Rutgers official X account.
Godden, 19, has never made a senior appearance for Leeds but will now pursue his development across the pond after leaving the Whites.
The left-back had been involved in first-team training sessions earlier this year but was yet to break into the senior side.
An unusual transfer for Leeds United defender Scott Godden
Godden’s departure from Elland Road is not of itself an unusual occurence.
Teenage talents at established professional clubs frequently feel their pathway to first-team football is blocked and look to pursue more opportunities elsewhere.
However, it is rare that they choose to join university sides in the USA.
It is possible that Godden has personal reasons for making the move or has simply identified the USA as the ideal place to further his development, with a view to catching the eye of an MLS club if he performs well for his new side in New Jersey.
Junior Firpo and Sam Byram are ahead of him in the first-team pecking order at Leeds, while 20-year-old Leo Hjelde also appears to be closer to a breakthrough season.
In fact, the Norwegian has made a total of eight first-team appearances already, including three this season totalling 180 minutes before a loan spell to fellow Championship side Sunderland, where he played 11 times to add to a CV that includes senior outings at Rotherham United and Ross County. Godden, meanwhile, has never gone out on loan or made a senior appearance at any professional level.
Leaving the club in search of pastures new may well be best for his career.
In other Leeds United news, an EFL manager has delivered his Championship playoff final verdict.
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