Leeds United defender Liam Kitching has today joined Forest Green Rovers on a permanent deal, as reported by their official site.
The 19-year-old signs on at the New Lawn for an undisclosed fee, joining a side that narrowly missed out on promotion to League One.
Mark Cooper’s side finished in the top six, but lost a two-legged semi-final against Tranmere Rovers, the same opponents they beat in the National League play-off final in 2017.
The defender signs a three year deal with the club, with manager Mark Cooper saying;Â “He is versatile. He can play left centre-back and left-back.
“He is a good size, he can run and has got a good left foot. He has got the experience of playing in the National League at a young age and is one that we have identified from a long way out.”
Leeds fans have been reacting to the move on Twitter, with some not happy that another one of the crown jewels from the Under 23 side is being moved on, hot on the heels of Pontus Jansson’s move to Brentford.
Here are the best of their responses.
selling another defender? makes sense #clowns #mot #bielsaout
— george (@georgewlufc) July 8, 2019
Why are we mass selling all our Defenders? 🤔
— ROSSii (@MrROSSii1990) July 8, 2019
It’s official forest green have spent more than us this transfer window 🤣🤣
— Ron (@ronaallleeds) July 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/lufc_levett/status/1148224098688016384
Another defender gone you might aswell keep it going and sell our best defender… oh wait a minute 🤔 that's awkward
— Daniel yra 💙💛 (@Danielrleeds1) July 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/Luke_Maloneyy/status/1148223134547480583
Halme, Kitching, Diaz and O’Connor gone, with Jansson to follow. Seems strange when we were already struggling with cover at centre back last season. Can’t wait to see Ayling and Berardi fill in again once White picks up an injury and Cooper is suspended 😴
— Oliver White (@OliWhiteMOT93) July 8, 2019
It’ll be a right laugh watching Cooper on his Todd trying to protect Kiko
— JC (@jack_considine) July 8, 2019
Looks like we're selling everything including the Kitching sink.
— Daniel Hurton (@ItsCurnsStupid) July 8, 2019
