Jack Harrison Returns to Leeds on Loan

Whilst fans await details of a new signing, there was one of sorts today for Manchester City but it was probably unlikely to set any pulses racing.

Jack Harrison was signed by Manchester City back in January 2018 and at the time was considered an exciting prospect in football, having risen to acclaim following a bright season in the USA playing for New York City.

As a young English player he had moved to America to further his career which had stalled in the UK. Originally at Liverpool and Manchester United academies, the Stoke born Harrison found opportunities limited.

However his fortune changed after making the move to the USA in search of first team football. He was predominantly employed as a right winger by Patrick Viera and back in 2016/17 he made 37 appearances, scoring 10 goals and assisting a further 3.

More from Man City Square

• Rodri believes City can have even more success this season
• Grealish, Stones, and Kovacic will NOT play tomorrow
• My Manchester City UCL Group Stage predictions
• After Injury Guardiola is back in Etihad
• Phil Foden Scores Opener for England Against Scotland

Those kind of numbers alerted other clubs who began to take an interest in the player’s development but of course Manchester City had a head start given they are stable mates of New York City under the over arching umbrella of the City Football Group.

Harrison moved to Manchester City and was immediately loaned out to Championship Middlesbrough but he failed to secure adequate loan time. A further loan to Championship Leeds in the Summer of 2018 was to prove more fruitful.

Harrison began to thrive under the management of Guardiola’s friend Marco Bielsa and featured in 42 games last season, scoring and assisting a further 8 times. As the season ended there was some talk about Leeds making the signing of Harrison permanent, but City valued Harrison at around £20 million – a figure outside of the ambition of Leeds who were confined to another season in the Championship.

Today though it was announced Harrison has extended his Manchester City contract by a further 12 months up until Summer 2022. At the same time our club also confirmed Harrison was to be loaned to Leeds for a second season.

So Harrison became our newest signing by default – just by extending his contract. It is hoped he will continue to build upon his development in the year ahead and will either force his way into City’s first team plans or realise a big money move.

At just 22 years of age, Harrison clearly has the opportunity to shape his own destiny. Hopefully he will make a stand out contribution in the months ahead.