
<p>Jack Harrison has not exactly had a traditional route to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>. English players tend to remain in the country and work their way up through the youth ranks. Nevertheless, the winger made a unique and bold move early in his development days. </p>



<p>Harrison began his club career as a seven-year old star in Liverpool’s academy. After a short period of time, the youngster then joined Manchester United’s famed youth setup. Harrison stayed with the Red Devils academy for just over six years. At 14, there are not many better places to develop as an English soccer player than <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">United</a>. Harrison’s mom, however, had other ideas.</p>



<h2>Harrison traded Old Trafford for American high school soccer</h2>



<p>The English youth attacker switched Manchester for Massachusetts in 2010. Harrison essentially arrived to the United States to further his education and play college soccer. The decision, although different, paid off. The winger was named Gatorade National Player of Year in 2015 during his senior high school season. He is currently one of just four foreign players to ever receive the honor.</p>



<p>The standout season propelled Harrison to earning a scholarship at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. After just one season in college, Harrison was the first pick of the 2016 MLS draft. Although he was chosen by <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chicago-fire-tv-schedule-watch-the-fire-in-action/">Chicago Fire</a>, the club eventually traded him to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/nycfc-tv-schedule/">New York City FC</a>.</p>



<h2>Teen was able to learn from stars of the sport in New York</h2>



<p>While Harrison was initially hesitant about the decision to leave England, he claims that he became appreciative of the move once joining NYCFC. “At that point I was really thankful to my mum because there were a lot of people saying: ‘Oh, why didn’t you stay at Man United?’” Harrison told <em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/20/jack-harrison-playing-in-new-york-gave-me-a-different-perspective" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Guardian</a></em>. </p>



<p>“I’d always had that in the back of my mind because I’d seen the likes of Scott McTominay come up and absolutely smash it with the first team. I did think: ‘What could have happened if I’d stayed at United?’”</p>



<p>“But as soon as I made it to New York and saw where I was – even a lot of people in England were saying it was so cool that I was in New York – it gave me a different perspective. And playing with the likes of Frank Lampard, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo, being managed by Patrick Vieira, being in an incredible city where I was able to thrive; at that point I thought it doesn’t matter what would have happened, this is my path now and I have to continue looking forward.”</p>



<h2>Harrison eventually made it all the way to the Premier League</h2>



<p>After two successful seasons in the States, Harrison eventually moved back to England. Although he did not receive ample playing time at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a>, a transfer to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/leeds-united-tv-schedule/">Leeds</a> in 2018 allowed the youngster to flourish, while also giving him his first taste of the Premier League. Harrison racked up 34 goals and added 32 assists in just over 200 total matches with the Whites.</p>



<p>Despite the fact that Leeds was relegated from the Premier League this summer, Harrison returned to the top flight thanks to a loan move to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/everton-tv-schedule/">Everton</a>. Now 26, the winger scored a goal and provided an assist in his first league start with the Toffees. Everton ended up scoring three goals in the match, partially thanks to Harrison’s positive play. The attacker will now do everything he can to help his new club avoid a similar fate as Leeds.</p>



<p><em>Photo: Imago</em>.</p>


Jack Harrison credits mom for US move after leaving Man Utd setup

New Everton winger Jack Harrison has given full credit to his mom for his unusual, but beneficial move to the US as a young English player.

Jack Harrison credits mom for US move after leaving Man Utd setup - World Soccer Talk


<p>Leeds United could be without star forward Rodrigo for up to two months. The club has <a href="https:\/\/www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/30976/injury-update-rodrigo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">confirmed</a> that their leading scorer on the season has undergone a minor surgery to fix ligament damage. Rodrigo was injured in the first half of an <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/fa-cup-tv-schedule/">FA Cup</a> fixture against Accrington Stanley on Saturday. Leeds went on to win the game 3-1. They will now <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/fa-cup-5th-round-draw-offers-prospect-of-wrexham-vs-spurs-20230130-WST-417664.html">face the winner</a> of Fulham and Sunderland at the end of the month.</p>



<p>Rodrigo has been a hit since his big-money money from Valencia in 2020. He is currently the club’s highest scorer this season by some margin with 12 total goals. Crysencio Summerville and Luis Sinisterra are tied for a distant second in team goals with four.</p>



<h2>February could be defining month for Rodrigo, Harrison and Leeds</h2>



<p>Leeds will need to find goals from other players if they want to remain in the Premier League. The Whites are currently just one point from the relegation zone  at the moment. February will certainly be a huge month for the club in Premier League play. Leeds face three other clubs fighting to avoid relegation, while also playing Manchester United twice in four days.</p>



<p>Upcoming games against Nottingham Forest, Everton, and Southampton could prove to be vital to Leeds’ <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> campaign. Forest is currently two places above Leeds in the table, while Everton and Southampton are both currently in the relegation zone.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING! Leeds United forward Rodrigo faces around two months out after picking up an ankle injury against Accrington Stanley ❌ <a href="https:\/\/t.co/YU2Vs4tJaU">pic.twitter.com/YU2Vs4tJaU</a></p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1621166874032570370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>One player that could very well step up in place of Rodrigo at Leeds is Jack Harrison. The tricky winger leads the club in assists so far this season and will be an important piece to the puzzle this month. Another option could be new arrival Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim. Leeds spent a <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/european-super-league-is-here-its-called-the-premier-league-20230202-WST-418025.html">club record fee</a> to acquire Rutter, who played as a forward in the Bundesliga.</p>



<h5>Winger set to sign new deal despite nearly departing</h5>



<p>Harrison, however, nearly departed for Leicester City on transfer deadline day. The 26-year-old midfielder even underwent a medical and met with Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers on Tuesday. Nevertheless, Leeds pulled the plug on selling Harrison at the last minute. Rodrigo’s injury could very well have impacted the decision to keep Harrison.</p>



<p>Although he nearly left Leeds a few days ago, <em><a href="https:\/\/www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12801245/jack-harrison-leeds-winger-to-sign-new-deal-and-end-speculation-after-transfer-deadline-day-interest-from-leicester" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Sports</a></em> is now reporting that Harrison is set to sign a new deal with his current club. The winger only has 18 months remaining on his contract and will apparently receive a major pay raise to remain at Leeds.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


Rodrigo will miss up to two months of action for Leeds because of an injury while teammate Jack Harrison is signing a new deal with the club.

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Jack Harrison credits mom for US move after leaving Man Utd setup

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Rodrigo to miss 2 months, Harrison set to sign new Leeds deal