Mason Cotcher and Majid Balogun, two teenage forwards, have been placed on trial by Leeds United, according to LUFC Youth. On February 17, the academy-focused publication Whites revealed that both of the young attackers were arriving to Thorp Arch having participated in the England setup at age-group levels.
Cotcher left Sunderland in the summer of last year and was training with Arsenal at the beginning of this season, despite Rangers’ interest [Mike McGrath, November 24]. Balogun had joined United two years prior as an under-14 player [Lambeth Tigers on Instagram].
“LUFC has taken [former Sunderland attacker Mason Cotcher & Manchester United attacker Majid Balogun on trial,” stated LUFC Youth. While Balogun has attended England Under-15s camps, Cotcher has competed for England at the Under-17 level. Balogun and Cotcher are trialled by Leeds United.
The Whites will undoubtedly keep up their recent activeness in trying to bolster their academy roster with highly-rated youngsters. The most recent pair, should they sign contracts with Leeds United, will have to replace Archie Grey, who made the transition from Thorp Arch to the first team in recent years.
Following the permanent departure of several prior investments or the expiration of their Elland Road contracts due to loans, the club’s growing talent programme is the focus of attention in January.
In January, a number of players who had been with the team in previous years moved on, including Ian Poveda, Sean McGurk, Lewis Bate, and Diogo Monteiro. Even players who had advanced, like Charlie Cresswell and Joe Gelhardt, were having trouble seeing the pitch.
Although both Cotcher and Balogun are obviously gifted young athletes, the former was also on trial at Manchester United last month and hasn’t been selected, while the latter is probably still a few years away from playing in the top leagues.
