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Leeds star Archie Gray breaks record previously held by Alan Smith

Leeds United prodigy Archie Gray has enjoyed an absolutely outstanding breakthrough season at Elland Road.

The signs were there last season. The Whites talent, then 16 years of age, was already playing for the Under-21s and making senior matchday squads.

This season, the 18-year-old has established himself as a key Leeds player and also as one of the Championship’s top talents.

Gray only made his Leeds debut this season, but he has already clocked up 41 competitive appearances for Daniel Farke’s side.

Not only that, but the youngster has by playing at right-back, defensive midfield, central midfield and even as a No. 10.

Now, with the international break in full swing, Gray has hit another huge milestone in his career.

In addition, the Leeds ace has broken a record previously held by former Elland Road talent Alan Smith.

How has Leeds United star Archie Gray broken Alan Smith record?

Gray came on as a substitute for England Under-21s in their European qualifying match with Azerbaijan’s Under-21s at Baku’s Azersun Arena.

The Leeds gem came on in the 83rd minute for Sheffield United’s on-loan ace James McAtee, and played as an inverted right-back.

Within five minutes, Gray was on the scoresheet, slotting home after being played in by Brooke Norton-Cuffy.

Photo by Aziz Karimov - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Aziz Karimov – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

According to Opta stat man , Gray’s goal makes him the youngest Leeds player to score for England U21’s.

Gray’s age -18 years and 10 days – means he has broken a record previously held by Alan Smith, who scored in October 1999 against Denmark at the age of 18 years and 345 days.

In addition, Gray is now the fourth-youngest England U21s scorer. Only Jude Bellingham, Theo Walcott and Jamal Musiala, who all scored for the U21s as 17-year-olds, are ahead of him.

That’s not bad company, and the way the Leeds star is going, he could well be on the level of those same players in the coming years.