Star released by Leeds at 16 is now starring in the Premier League
The former Whites prospect has gone on to enjoy a strong career since moving on from Elland Road.
Leeds United star Archie Gray is the latest player to emerge as a key first-team performer after graduating from the club’s academy set-up.
The 17-year-old whiz has started 31 of the club’s Championship matches under German head coach Daniel Farke, who arrived in Yorkshire last summer.
A central midfielder naturally, the teenage gem has been the first-choice option at right-back for the former Norwich City tactician after an injury to Djed Spence, who was on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, opened the door for him to come in.
He was given an opportunity to impress by the boss at the start of the season and grasped it with both hands, but not every young talent had that chance during their time at Elland Road.
Tom Cairney started his youth career with the Whites but was released before he could make his senior debut for Leeds, and the talented gem’s value went on to skyrocket.
Why Leeds ditched Tom Cairney
The attacking midfielder joined the club’s academy as a seven-year-old and played through the age groups until they decided to let him leave in 2017.
He was 16 at the time and stood at just 5 foot 1. His height reportedly played a role in Leeds’ decision to release him on a free transfer after nine years at Elland Road.
They seemingly decided that Cairney would not develop, physically and possibly technically, to a level that would see him emerge as a first-team operator in Yorkshire, as he left with zero senior appearances for them.
The Scotland international revealed – later in his career – that he was “crushed” by that exit from the club, given how much time the young whiz spent developing there.
Hull City picked the English-born maestro up for nothing after his release and his market valuation on Transfermarkt came in at €750k (£643k) by August 2010.
Why Tom Cairney’s market value soared
The Fulham star currently stands at 6 foot and his growth spurt after moving on from Leeds may have played a part in the impressive career he has forged for himself.
After five goals and 11 assists in 80 appearances during his time with Hull at first-team level, Cairney made the switch to Blackburn Rovers, initially on loan in the summer of 2013 before the deal was made permanent in January 2014.
Fulham, who were in the Championship at the time, then swooped to sign him on a permanent basis in the summer of 2015 after the midfielder had produced nine goals and 16 assists in 85 matches for Rovers.
The impressive magician helped the Cottagers to secure promotion to the Premier League within three seasons, as he plundered 26 goals and 22 assists in 120 games in the second tier.
