Sounds like he's returning to Northampton on loan for the coming season, which will be a step up after helping them to promotion from League 2 last year.
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[Albion] Marc Leonard - 16yr old from Hearts
- Thread starter Postman Pat
- Start date
Interesting one, always get rave reviews. He’s already 21, 22 in December. Contract expires next June although unsure if we have an option.
Be interesting to see if he does well in league 1, what the clubs plan for him will be.
It sounds like we may have recently triggered an extension/option/something, but I'd rather leave our resident expert @AZ Gull give his definitive view on that!
Agreed!
- Jan 7, 2006
- 15,323
He was out of contract for June 2023, we triggered his one year extension so now contracted until June 2024.
If that's correct, there's no point in loaning him out again. It'll just mean another talented youngster we've developed through our academy leaving for free this time next year.
- Jan 7, 2006
- 15,323
My point entirely. If we are sure we don't want him long term, surely the only sensible option would be to sell him for what we can get now. Loaning him out prior to him walking on a free next year makes no sense at all.
This article suggests that a new deal has been agreed - the impression given is that this is more than just a one year extension of his existing contract. Would make sense - he seems to be attracting a lot of interest.
Brighton make Marc Leonard transfer decision after deal agreed
Football Insider understands Marc Leonard has agreed to sign a new contract at Brighton before heading out on loan for the 2023/24 campaign.
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- Jun 27, 2012
- 14,678
Football Scotland reported he was signing a new 2 year contract earlier this month so that presumably explains the loan.
www.footballscotland.co.uk
Former Rangers and Hearts kid Marc Leonard to renew contract with Brighton
The promising youngster came through the ranks at both the Light Blues and the Jambos
www.footballscotland.co.uk
- Jan 7, 2006
- 15,323
I stand corrected:This article suggests that a new deal has been agreed - the impression given is that this is more than just a ne year extension of his existing contract. Would make sense - he sees to be attracting a lot of interest.
Brighton make Marc Leonard transfer decision after deal agreed
Football Insider understands Marc Leonard has agreed to sign a new contract at Brighton before heading out on loan for the 2023/24 campaign.www.footballinsider247.com
Not corrected. Just further research found further information. Cheers.
Not sure Northampton is the best idea - I'd have preferred somewhere else. Nothing against Northampton but going to another club would have presented a new set of character-building challenges and experiences. Going back to the same place is a bit like staying in the comfort zone for me. But hey - what do I know?
Good luck to the lad anyway - knock 'em dead, Marc.
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AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
NSC’s resident expert has been somewhat out of commission recently, combining a vacation with Albion’s second-ever US tour (and currently trying to catch a breeze on the extremities of the Red Bull Arena concourse in this horrible New York/Jersey heat) - and I think the question has been answered in this thread anyway - but I’ll be reporting back for duty next week (assuming I don’t melt back in Phoenix).
Know what you mean. But at least they’ve been promoted so better league, better opponents, and they won’t have to blood him in as they already know himNot corrected. Just further research found further information. Cheers.
Not sure Northampton is the best idea - I'd have preferred somewhere else. Nothing against Northampton but going to another club would have presented a new set of character-building challenges and experiences. Going back to the same place is a bit ike staying in the comfort zone for me. But hey - what do I know?
Good luck to the lad anyway - knock 'em dead, Marc.
HastingsSeagull
Well-known member
Seems a good move and the longer deal meaning we can reassess at the end of the season.
Also just a note that if a young player leaves on a free, we tend to get SOMETHING from future sales as solidarity payment for developing them. It’s minuscule by PL finance levels but each year (under about age 23?) gets a small % so longer they’re with us the more we get. Won’t be that relevant for us but every little helps.
Also just a note that if a young player leaves on a free, we tend to get SOMETHING from future sales as solidarity payment for developing them. It’s minuscule by PL finance levels but each year (under about age 23?) gets a small % so longer they’re with us the more we get. Won’t be that relevant for us but every little helps.
Cordwainer
Well-known member
- Jul 30, 2023
- 595
Hello everyone. Am unfortunately a Northampton supporter but having lived in Hove since 1993, first starting watching BHAFC in the dying days of the Goldstone and now having a Brighton born n bred 15 yo son who is Albion obsessed, I am also very much an Albion fan..there I’ve said it..supporting two clubs 
Leonard was fantastic for us last season..always showing for the ball and generally looking after it very well..instrumental in a lot of the good stuff we played. Chuffed to see him back and excited to see what he can do in League 1.
Leonard was fantastic for us last season..always showing for the ball and generally looking after it very well..instrumental in a lot of the good stuff we played. Chuffed to see him back and excited to see what he can do in League 1.
Machiavelli
Well-known member
Welcome. Regular updates very much appreciated.Hello everyone. Am unfortunately a Northampton supporter but having lived in Hove since 1993, first starting watching BHAFC in the dying days of the Goldstone and now having a Brighton born n bred 15 yo son who is Albion obsessed, I am also very much an Albion fan..there I’ve said it..supporting two clubs
Leonard was fantastic for us last season..always showing for the ball and generally looking after it very well..instrumental in a lot of the good stuff we played. Chuffed to see him back and excited to see what he can do in League 1.
Cordwainer
Well-known member
- Jul 30, 2023
- 595
Thanks..will do. Also sounds as if Turns is going back to Orient on a season loan.
It does. A properly run business should see returns (financial and other) for each part of it’s business and not rely on one area to support all the others, unless of course the owner is happy to accept that, however running a business that way leads to inefficiencies, sloppiness and poor financial controls.
Money generated from players coming thru the development scheme is critical for offsetting the set up and running costs, and ultimately freeing up cash to invest in the EPL set up.
Without this cash injection the cash would have to be found from somewhere else ……. And we’d all moan if ticket prices went up!!