Leeds United have today announced that academy midfielder Jack Jenkins has signed his first professional contract with the club. 

The 17-year-old has signed the agreement that will keep him at Elland Road until 2021 and will be hopeful of following in the footsteps of other youth graduates to make their first-team bow this season.

Winger Jack Clarke, left-back Leif Davis and midfielder Jamie Shackleton have all been utilised in the first-team by Marcelo Bielsa this season with all three impressing.

Jenkins has been a regular in the Whites' under-18 side this season, playing a pivotal role in their rise to the summit of their development league.

They are very much following in the footsteps of their first-team in that respect as Bielsa's side extended their lead to four points after a 2-0 win against Derby County last Friday.

This weekend sees them travel to Stoke to face Nathan Jones' Potters' side as they look to build on that brilliant Elland Road performance.

The verdict 

This is great to see and continues to show why Leeds are one of the country's finest clubs at the moment.

It is largely down to Bielsa and his desire to put faith in the youth options at the club, and so far it has worked an absolute treat.

If he can follow Jack Clarke's example then Leeds will have a very exciting future.