Finlay Gorman set for Manchester City: How five youngsters that left Leeds United before 17 fared

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Finlay Gorman is set for a move to Manchester City after an early breakthrough into the U18 set-up at Leeds United aged just 15 – and here are five other Leeds youngsters that left, at a similar age.

Gorman broke into the Leeds U18 side before he even turned 15 in September, earlier this season. The youngster has played five times in the U18 Premier League, scoring twice and laying on an assist for us.

Unsurprisingly, that form has not gone unnoticed. The Yorkshire Evening Post claimed Manchester City had opened talks for Gorman, but would face competition from Newcastle. Now, Phil Hay has an update.

He said on The Athletic that Gorman is off to Manchester City, with a British record fee – seven figures – for a player of that age on the table. Here are five others to leave Leeds at a similarly young age.

Finlay Gorman set for Man City: Five others talents to leave Leeds

Danny Rose to Tottenham (2007, aged 17)

Rose left Leeds without playing for the club – but of course, went on to enjoy a stunning career with Tottenham and England, costing £1m. However, he has been without a club since 2022, at 33.

Michael Woods to Chelsea (2006, aged 16)

At 16, Woods and Tom Taiwo moved to Chelsea – with court ordering a fee of £5m. He played twice for Chelsea, spending most of his career with Hartlepool. At 33, now in Non-League with South Shields.

Tom Taiwo to Chelsea (2006, aged 16)

The other half of the infamous £5m deal that saw Woods and Taiwo join Chelsea. Taiwo never played for Chelsea, but enjoyed a solid career in Scotland before retiring at the early age of just 29, due to injury.

Luke Garbutt to Everton (2009, aged 16)

Everton were ordered to pay £1m for Garbutt in 2009. He played just 12 times for Everton and is now at Salford, aged 30 – amassing 247 senior games. But far from the potential expected of him as a teen.

Michael Johnson to Feyenoord (2000, aged 12)

Everyone will remember Johnson, who starred at Manchester City in and around 2007. His career tailed off as quickly as it began. At just 12, he left the Leeds academy to move to Dutch giants Feyenoord.