Leeds United have today announced that youngster Bobby Kamwa has signed professional terms with the club.

The midfielder has signed a two and a half year deal to remain at the club until June 2020.

He has featured extensively for the Under-18s side this season and follows in the footsteps of  Clarke Oduor and Jack Clarke in earning a full time deal.

Academy Manager Adam Underwood told the official club site: “Bobby has made good progress during his scholarship and this has been recognised with his first professional contract. It represents the next step on the ladder for Bobby and everyone at Thorp Arch is really pleased for him. He is one of a number of local Academy players that will move from the Under-18s into the Under-23s next season, which will further strengthen our pool of talented young professionals.”

Kamwa won Most Valuable Player in an U18s tournament in Qatar recently. Leeds U18s beat Aspire Academy in the final, a victory that earned Kamwa the title of 'MVP' for the whole tournament.

The Cameroon-born teenager first signed his scholarship contract at Leeds in 2016 and hopes to follow Baily Peacock-Farrell and Tom Pearce into the Elland Road first team.

The Verdict

Hardcore fans will have been hearing the buzz around this kid for a while now and the length of the deal surely indicates how highly he's rated.

Sometimes, salvation doesn't come from expensive imports from warmer climates, it comes from growing excellent young players yourself, moulding them to a club philosophy and reaping long term rewards. Leeds might just be on the way to doing that.