Motherwell have announced that 16-year-old academy prospect Stuart McKinstry has joined Leeds United.
This deal has been on the cards for some time now and the Well have said a deal has been in place since the spring.
McKinstry has joined Leeds United. (Photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)
It has taken until this point to formally complete all the necessary paperwork which allows McKinstry to complete his move south.
They have also confirmed that the Well have a sell-on clause in McKinstry’s contract. This will see Motherwell earn more money from this deal, should McKinstry progress or move on from Elland Road.
Leeds is a big opportunity for McKinstry
A compensation package has been agreed for McKinstry. Reports back in February suggested that £400k was the approximate amount the Steelmen would net for the talented attacker (The Scottish Sun).
A healthy fee for the attacker. (Photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Stephen Robinson’s side will be gutted to lose him, but they can’t deny McKinstry the opportunity to move to Leeds. They are a massive club who could find themselves in the Premier League soon enough.
This is just confirmation that McKinstry has made the switch. He has already appeared in a Leeds pre-season squad, which looked likely to be the only official indication as to whether the Scotsman had switched teams.
Now it has been confirmed and the speculation can be put to bed. McKinstry joins fellow Fir Park academy stars like Reece McAlear, Chris Cadden and Jake Hastie in leaving Fir Park this summer.
Cadden has moved to Oxford United. (Photo by Iam Burn/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
If £400k is what Motherwell have got for him, then that’s pretty decent. Whilst he represents good potential, that money could buy Robinson a player or two.
This seems to be a good deal for everyone. Well fans will wish McKinstry all the best on his new adventure.