New signing at Leeds United of England, Leonard Chukwudelu Ngenge will first have to prove his ability with the club’s under-21 squad before he gets a chance of lining out in the main team.
Sports247 gathered that this change was provided by Leeds’ coach, Daniel Farke, who revealed that the English Premier League outfit have a strategy of grooming players through a graduated process.
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The German tactician added that Ngenge, who signed dotted lines for Leeds on January 20, will get opportunities to train with the main squad once he proves himself worthy through his activities in their youth sector.
It is now left to the 18-year-old defender, who got his leverage with only two matches for the home-based Eagles, to step up his efforts at Elland Road and show that he deserves an accelerated promotion into the club’s EPL roster.
That would mark a record of sorts for Ngenge, whose move to England came within just two years of his breakthrough, following 25 matches with Ikorodu City of Lagos (2024-2025) and seven games with Remo Stars of Ikenne (2025).
Dramatically, his second international cap was a disaster, as he scored an own goal and gave away a penalty in a 4-0 loss for the home-based Eagles against Sudan at the Championship of African Nations (CHAN).
Regardless of all that, Ngenge has found favour with a concrete contract at Leeds and he could be playing in the EPL before this season ends, once he meets expectations, as outlined by the coach.
Farke expatiated, “Everyone who signs a contract for Leeds United also has the chance to be involved (with the main squad). That depends on performances at youth level.”
The Lily Whites’ tactician also pointed out that Ngenge was signed basically for their under-21 squad, but hinted that the versatile defender could progress rapidly into the main team once he proves his mettle in days ahead.
“This is also a signing for our Under-21s. There is no plan to be greedy and involve him too quickly. It is about natural progress.
“He will be with our youth team. We will give him time to settle, and we are not looking to rush anything with him,” Farke asserted.
Sports247 gathered further that Ngege will get an early chance to start proving his ability if he is featured this weekend in the squad’s fixture away to Liverpool U21s.
