Jamie Shackleton has departed Leeds United for the first time and joined Thorp Arch team-mate Charlie Cresswell on loan at Millwall in the Championship. The 22-year-old has come through the academy system at the Whites and fought his way into the first team under Marcelo Bielsa.
However, injuries and competition for places have limited Shackleton’s game time and with his under-21 days behind him, it was time for regular senior action. Gary Rowett’s side fought off interest from Blackpool and Reading to seal the deal.
As they did with Cresswell, Millwall are understood to have impressed Leeds with the financial package on offer for Shackleton. The right-back-cum-central-midfielder will now spend the campaign at The Den.
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Shackleton’s contract at Elland Road has another two years to run, but unless there is a drastic change in either party’s circumstances, it’s hard to see a long-term future for him with his boyhood club. He has made 79 appearances for the Whites since his August 2018 debut.
That’s more outings in white than the likes of Michael Brown, Shaun Derry and Michael Duberry, though starts have been the issue for the academy product. Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich are among the senior players whose form has denied Shackleton a chance with Leeds promoted and then up to ninth in the top flight.
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