Leeds United had a transfer plan to sign young players from big clubs and develop them, when Victor Orta was director of football.
The club focused on youth recruitment signing Crysencio Summerville, Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Cody Drameh and developing them in the clubs U21 side. Some of the signings paid off and Leeds made some profit off a few of them. But as some developed to become first team stars, others failed to impress.
Lewis Bate, Sean McGurk, Leo Hjelde and Amari Miller also followed, but none of them made it to become first team regulars.
Could a return to Leeds United be on the cards for Sonny Perkins?
Leyton Orient v Newport County Carabao Cup Sonny Perkins of Leyton Orient dribbles the ball during the Carabao Cup First Round match at Gaughan Group Stadium, London UK Newspapers OUT Copyright: xChrisxMyattx FIL-20486-0020
One of the youth driven signings was Sonny Perkins, who was signed from West Ham in 2022. The England youth international barely featured for Leeds after a year, and was loaned out to get playing time.
Perkins joined Leyton Orient on loan this season, and the forward has failed to start a single game in League One and the only goal he has scored so far was against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup.
There is hope after the striker scored his first goal of the season with this stunning strike in the FA Cup.
Sonny Perkins with a strong left-footed finish for @leytonorientfc 💥#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/DdWAXTDYbR
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) November 3, 2024
Earlier in the season, Orient manager Richie Wellens said a “lot of work” needed to be done on the young striker:
“We’ve obviously watched Sonny a lot. Played centre-forward for West Ham. Really good in and around the six-yard box, penalty spot. He’s got loads of things we can work on, loads of things we can improve.”
Perkins also spent the first half of last season on loan at Oxford United where he only featured in three league games before returning to his parent club.
No room for striker back at Elland Road
Competition for the striker’s spot at Leeds United is very tough. Joel Piroe is the main man this season, while Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph have been very able deputies. Daniel Farke has also lined up a move for a free agent forward to add quality to the Leeds United team.
There is no realistic future for Perkins at Leeds United, and with his contract set to expire in June 2025. At just 20 years old, Perkins has a lot of time on his hands. Many teams in the EFL would jump at the chance to sign a player who has been prolific at youth level for England.
