Lewis Bate has joined Oxford United on loan in the hope of being able make a name for himself in senior football. The Leeds United youngster has penned a season-long loan deal with Karl Robinson’s League One outfit and he could make his debut this weekend as the U’s take on Cambridge United at the Kassam Stadium.
Bate, who is still only 19 years of age, joined the Whites from Chelsea last year and made three appearances in the Premier League last season, with a start coming against his former club at Elland Road in May. However, he was overlooked for inclusion on the club’s pre-season trip to Australia and the summer signings of Marc Roca, Tyler Adams and Darko Gyabi have ensured he has fallen down the pecking order at his parent club.
As such, he’ll be hoping to pick up as much game time and experience as possible on loan with Oxford and establish himself before returning to West Yorkshire next summer.
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“I’m really happy to be here, I spoke to the gaffer a few times about it I’m glad to get the deal done and I can’t wait to get started,” he told Oxford’s Youtube channel. “I’m closer to home now but the distance has never really affected me as long as I’m playing football.
“Speaking to the manager completely swayed me. Hopefully I can come here on loan and show what I can do. I know it’s going to be physical (in League One), but I’m really looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m completely ready to go. I’ve had a couple of matches, trained throughout pre-season and I’m ready to go. I’d say I’m a number eight, but I can play defensive, I’ve played defensive before. Number 10 not so much, but we’ll see.”
Bate is just the latest Leeds player to leave West Yorkshire on loan, with Charlie Cresswell and Jamie Shackleton joining Millwall last month, while Tyler Roberts has signed a temporary deal with QPR.
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