Leeds United confirm midfielder's transfer exit with game time proving an issue

Teenager Lewis Bate is leaving Leeds United for the season with a loan move to League One Oxford United. The Whites still have long-term plans for the former Chelsea midfielder and there is no option for The U’s to make it a permanent switch.

After three Premier League appearances, including a full debut against his former club, in his first season at Elland Road, Leeds and Bate do not want to see his development stall. This summer’s recruitment has left him a little down the pecking order and he was not included in the Australia tour this summer.

Karl Robinson’s Oxford finished eighth in the third tier last season, narrowly missing out on the play-offs, but if Leeds find Bate is not getting the game time needed there is a recall clause available to them. Bate arrived from Stamford Bridge 12 months ago and has less than two years to run on the contract he signed in West Yorkshire.

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Tyler Adams, Marc Roca, Adam Forshaw, Darko Gyabi, Sam Greenwood and Archie Gray are all arguably ahead of Bate in the contest for Jesse Marsch’s double-pivot slots. Premier League 2 Division Two football was not going to challenge the England youth international and the Whites will hope first-team football in the EFL will aid his development.

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