Youngster Tom Pearce has agreed his first professional contract with the club after progressing through the Leeds United Academy scholarship programme at Thorp Arch.
Pearce, a left-footer who is equally as comfortable playing at full-back or on the wing, penned a one-year deal at Elland Road to become the latest Academy prospect to turn professional.
The 18-year-old, who arrived at the club from Everton in 2014, featured regularly for our Under-18s last term, scoring eight times in his 26 appearances for the United youngsters.
Pearce also scored once in his four outings with the Under-21s, and his displays for the club’s youth teams have been rewarded with professional terms, which will come into play later this summer.
“It feels great, it’s a dream come true,” Pearce told leedsunited.com.
“It’s all I thought about as a kid, becoming a professional footballer.
“I first found out about a month ago and I’m really happy now it’s actually happened.
“I got my head down this season and worked hard because I wanted this.
“It’s a great club for young players coming through. As a lot of people have shown, you’ll get a chance if you do well enough.
“I’m just hoping to play a lot of Under-21s football next season and see where that takes me.”
Asked about his style of play, Pearce added: “I think I’m a direct player, I can play left-back or as a winger. I like to play with confidence.
“I’ve scored a few free-kicks this season as well, which is something I work on a lot.”