Leeds United are pleased to announce Academy defender Jacob Howard has signed a first professional contract with the club.

Penning a three-year deal, the central defender will remain at Thorp Arch until 2029 as he continues his development in West Yorkshire.

Aged just 16 at the time, Howard broke into the Whites’ Under-21s team last campaign under boss Scott Gardner and made 16 appearances in the heart of defence, after impressing in younger age groups.

Prior to turning 17, the defender got a taste of senior football with starts against FC Halifax Town and Gateshead in the National League Cup and also tested himself against some of Europe’s best emerging talent in the Premier League International Cup.

Howard has been capped six times by England at U17 level, notably scoring in a friendly with Australia last November before captaining the Young Lions in a March victory over Estonia.

Everyone at Leeds United would like to congratulate Jacob and we are excited to see his development across the coming seasons.