Departing Leeds United defender Liam McCarron vows to return to where he “belongs” by guiding Stoke City to the Premier League.
The 21-year-old has ended his three-year stay at Elland Road by signing a three-year deal with the Potters for an undisclosed fee. McCarron made his breakthrough as a teenager at League Two side Carlisle United, before he rejected a new contract with the Cumbrians to join Leeds in July 2019.
The Scotsman has largely played for the under-23 side although he was presented with his Premier League debut by Marcelo Bielsa in a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in December 2021. Although his dream is to play in the Premier League, McCarron’s quest to play regular football was the driving force behind his decision to leave the Whites.
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“Playing in the Premier League are what dreams of made of,” McCarron told Stoke City. “But it’s not just about playing in the Premier League. I need to play week in, week out, and I felt that here is the right place to do that.
“It’s time for a fresh challenge. I’m at that age now where I want to be playing regular first team football.
“I’m here to get in the squad and get where I should be, which is the Premier League. I’ve got the time to do that. Three years is enough time to make an impression and get Stoke to the Premier League.”
McCarron arrived at Leeds as a raw winger but has been transformed into a solid left-back in the academy system. It was a change that he believes has added further versatility to his game.
“I’ve developed so much during my time there [Leeds] and that’s why I can play in multiple positions now,” McCarron observed.
“I was an out and out winger but now I can defend at a good standard.”
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