Alfie McCalmont has left Leeds United on a permanent basis to join League One side Carlisle United, having helped his new team earn promotion last season on loan – and the midfielder has posted a touching message on Instagram.
McCalmont, 23, was one of a number of youngsters to get his senior Leeds debut during the Marcelo Bielsa era. He was regular on the Argentine’s bench in the Championship years, but only actually played two first-team games.
A series of loans followed as Leeds gained promotion to the Premier League. Firstly, to Oldham, where the Northern Ireland ace sparkled – having a hand in 15 goals from midfield in 39 games. He scored 10 himself, creating five.
A year at Morecambe came next, this time in League One. Slightly tougher, for McCalmont. He returned to Leeds in the summer of 2022 and stayed at the club for six months, before joining Carlisle in January. He has blossomed.
The midfielder has now helped Carlisle, and Paul Simpson’s side to gain promotion from the play-offs to the third tier. Now, McCalmont has sent a touching tribute to Leeds, having joined the academy at the age of just seven.
McCalmont leaves Leeds and posts a touching message on Instagram
It is the right move for McCalmont. He easily has the potential to be a Championship player in the future, but he needs to learn his stripes in League One before that level. Rejoining Carlisle is the best thing he could have done.
It is a shame that it never worked at Leeds for the ball-playing midfielder. He always stood out during U23 games under Carlos Corberan. Instead, he will now be tasked with helping keep Carlisle in League One during 2023-24.
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