Youngster announces Leeds exit on Twitter, immediately on trial with rival club

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Teenager Lucas Odunston has announced on Twitter that he is set to see his Leeds United contract expire, 12 years after joining the Yorkshire club at just six years old – and he is already on trial with a local rival.

Odunston, 18, was a key part of Leeds’ Under-18 side this season, featuring regularly at right-back. But he failed to break into the second string, with plenty of competition ahead of him.

Bryce Hosannah is first choice in the second team, while Luke Ayling is undoubtedly the best right-back at the club. Jamie Shackleton, Stuart Dallas and Gaetano Berardi have also filled in on the right side of the defence.

It left Odunston with little chance of breaking into the second string, or indeed the senior side. He has seen his contract expire and confirmed as much on Twitter.

The young defender is not the only player to be leaving Elland Road this summer, with goalkeeper Joshua Rae confirming his exit on Twitter after a two-year spell at Thorp Arch since being brought south from Celtic.

Last month, it appeared that Odunston was on trial with Hull City, as the Tigers academy page included his name in an Under-23 Professional Development League clash against Birmingham City – suggesting he went on trial.

It remains to be seen if Odunston was to be given a permanent contract at Hull under Nigel Adkins, but the fact Hull rate him highly enough to play him in the Under-23’s – something Leeds never did – speaks volumes.

https://twitter.com/lucas_odunston/status/1072196712561827841