Have Leeds made a mistake by letting Liam Kitching go permanently?

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United have confirmed that teenager Liam Kitching has left Elland Road to join League Two promotion contenders Forest Green Rovers on a permanent basis this summer – and have they made a mistake?

Kitching, 19, was loaned to National League side Harrogate Town last summer for the entire season and shone for the fifth-tier outfit, scoring three goals and creating four more from the left side of the defence.

Cash-rich Forest Green noticed, and have decided to bring in Kitching on a permanent basis. The Thorp Arch academy product had two years left on his original Leeds deal, so it begs the question, why a permanent move?

Kitching is one of the best defenders to have come through the academy in his age group, and was even watched by Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta last season – with Leeds rumoured to be considering a recall.

That never materialised but Kitching has been close to a first-team slot in the past, appearing on the bench during the FA Cup loss to Newport County in January 2018.

Another loan would have seen Kitching progress and go even closer to pushing the likes of Barry Douglas and Leif Davis for a place at left-back. But instead, Leeds have offloaded the teenage star.

He has signed a three-year contract at Forest Green this summer, for what Rovers have described as an undisclosed fee – though it is likely to be a six-figure fee.

Kitching has the potential to make it to the Championship or even higher, so Leeds have made a big mistake in offloading the teenage star permanently this summer.

https://twitter.com/FGRFC_Official/status/1148226638200680453