Godwin ObajeMeet the Five Rising Stars Daniel Farke Has Taken on Leeds United’s Pre-Season Tour
As Leeds United gear up for their return to the Premier League, Daniel Farke has offered a glimpse into the club’s future by including five promising academy talents in his pre-season squad travelling to Germany.
With a flurry of senior arrivals this summer—including Jaka Bijol, Lukas Nmecha, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and most recently, Anton Stach—Farke is also keeping a close eye on the next generation. Among those given the opportunity to impress are Harry Gray, Charlie Crew, Sam Chambers, Rhys Chadwick, and Rory Mahady.
Harry Gray
Perhaps the most exciting name among the group is Harry Gray, the latest prodigy in Leeds’ famed Gray footballing family. The younger brother of Archie and grandson of Eddie Gray, the 16-year-old forward is already creating waves at youth level. He burst onto the scene with 15 goals across Under-18 and Under-21 competitions last season and scored the winner in the National League Cup final. Gray made his senior debut in a dominant win over Stoke City and has been tipped for stardom ever since. With natural composure in front of goal and strong footballing heritage, hopes are high he’ll follow his brother into the first team.
Charlie Crew
Welsh midfielder Charlie Crew has also joined the squad after showing strong progress since arriving from Cardiff City in 2022. Crew made his senior debut in 2024 and recently gained vital experience during a loan spell at Doncaster Rovers in League Two. The 18-year-old played 11 matches on loan and was praised for his maturity and defensive work. He came off the bench in the recent friendly against Manchester United, making a couple of key interventions and showing promise in midfield.
Sam Chambers
It wasn’t an ideal outing for Sam Chambers in the same fixture, where he was deployed out of position at right-back. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder struggled to cope with the pace and positioning demands in defence, but the coaching staff won’t judge him too harshly. Chambers has already made two senior appearances, including an FA Cup start, and will be eager to prove himself in his preferred advanced midfield role. Sources close to the squad say Farke has already had some light-hearted digs at him in training—perhaps a sign of both trust and expectation.
Rhys Chadwick
Attacking midfielder Rhys Chadwick is another name generating real buzz. The 18-year-old was in stellar form last season, contributing eight goals and ten assists in 24 Under-21 appearances. Although he didn’t break into the senior matchday squad last term, he has now been handed a pre-season opportunity. With Leeds looking to strengthen attacking midfield options, Chadwick could put real pressure on senior players like Brenden Aaronson if he continues to impress.
Rory Mahady
Finally, goalkeeper Rory Mahady is with the team, though he is unlikely to feature in matches barring injuries. Despite a tough season last term with just one clean sheet, the club sees potential in the 18-year-old, rewarding him with a new contract through to 2028. His inclusion in the tour signals long-term investment in his development.
Leeds’ pre-season matches in Germany are behind closed doors, but fans will be eager to hear how the youngsters fare. While much of the focus remains on promotion ambitions, these five starlets could be the story of the season yet to unfold.
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