By Wayne Veysey

26th Apr, 2018 | 11:32am

Leeds blitz ahead of 18/19 season: One mega deal in the bag, another on the way - confirmed

By Richard Parks

Tom Pearce is to be offered a new Leeds United contract, manager Paul Heckingbottom has confirmed.

The United boss explained at his media conference on Thursday morning that the left-back is in line for an extension after breaking into the first team in recent weeks.

Heckingbottom’s revelation was reported by Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay on his personal Twitter account.

Leeds academy product Pearce, 20, has made three senior appearances after being fast-tracked following Gaetano Berardi’s suspension and long-term injuries to Luke Ayling and Laurens De Bock.

News of his contract extension comes hours after Leeds announced on their official website that star player Pablo Hernandez has agreed a new two-year contract.

Football Insider verdict:

Signing up Pearce to a new contract is not quite the mega deal of Hernandez, the team’s outstanding player this season who is nailed on to win the Leeds player of the year. Nevertheless, it would qualify as a significant piece of business. Just in the nick of time, too, as the left-back is out of contract in June and free at that point to find a new club. Pearce has made a strong impression in recent weeks, taking full advantage of the senior full-back absences to press a convincing claim for a far bigger role next season. The club’s coaching staff have been won over and it seems a new deal is on the way.

In other Leeds United news, it can be revealed that Andrea Radrizzani is ready to end the careers of 13 senior players at the club in a jawdropping cull.

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