Louie Dudley: The coaching has helped me | OneFootball

Leeds United secured the services of Louie Dudley after the Under-21s defender put pen-to-paper on a first professional contract with the club.

The home-grown talent will remain with the Whites until 2027 and speaking after extending his stay with his boyhood team, the 17-year-old spoke of his delight in continuing his development at Thorp Arch.

“It feels amazing,” the right-back explained. “Looking back from where I was, grassroots and everything, I never thought I would be here.

“As a local lad from Leeds, to now be on my first professional contract, it is a dream. I am just grateful because there are so many fans and everything that wish to do this.

“You see the fans and stuff like the culture, family and togetherness and it is inspiring. You see Academy players making it and just to know that I could do that as well, it is just good and nice to see.

“I think from where I was to where I am now, playing through the ups and downs, I think I have developed as a player.

“The coaching has helped me, little things on my defending, and now I am more attacking and using my pace more as an advantage.

“I love tackling, love defending and helping the team attacking, getting balls in the box but stopping balls coming in our box too.

“Playing in the U21s has helped me grow and get into the level they are at. It is a big adaptation physically and players are more intelligent.

“We have started well, won a lot of the games and shown a good maturity in the men’s games as well. We are just learning game by game.”