Jack Harrison has broken his silence on his choice to leave Leeds United on loan to Everton in consecutive summers.
Harrison was part of Leeds’ infamous eight-man loan army, which all left on temporary terms 12 months ago following the club’s relegation to the Championship.
Brenden Aaronson and Max Wober have subsequently returned to Leeds for a second chance, but Harrison, like Rasmus Kristensen, chose to depart on loan once more.
Robin Koch, Luis Sinisterra, Marc Roca, and Diego Llorente have all departed permanently, therefore there is some added anger towards Harrison given how long he stayed at Elland Road.
He spent five years as a Leeds player and was a crucial element of Marcelo Bielsa’s promotion-winning team, which should have kept him in the club’s history forever, but the manner of his departures means that is no longer the case.
Harrison describes what transpired before Leeds’ exit.
Harrison’s ability to go on loan not once, but twice, is made all the more aggravating by the fact that he signed a new five-year contract just a month before Leeds’ relegation.
The guilt for the loan conditions mostly lies with Victor Orta, but the player and his camp will have had a voice as well.
Harrison actually the spent the majority of last summer at Leeds before joining Everton, as he spent the entirety of pre-season recovering from injury.
Now, in an interview with the Athletic, Harrison has shed more light on what actually 12 months ago, stating that he actually was suffering with some chronic injury issues in the final month of the season.
Harrison also added that he has ‘no regrets’ regarding the way he left even after being on the end of plenty of fan criticism.
He said: “I gave everything for the club. Even the last month or so, I was playing through an injury and delaying the operation just to try and do what I could to keep them up.
“I’m not sure if anyone knows, but I tore my cartilage and tendon in my groin. I had to get nails in over the summer to heal it, but I wanted to push myself to my limits to aid Leeds. It was perhaps the worst experience I’ve had as a player.
“I was using a lot of medications and anti-inflammatories to attempt to relieve the pain. After the game, I would feel even worse. If it had happened earlier in the season, I would have had more time to take action.
“When summer arrived, it was quite frustrating since we had been demoted and I had a major injury that required surgery. “Whatever the fans say, I have no regrets.”
Everton may still sign Harrison permanently this summer.
Despite having signed him on loan, Everton may still attempt to bring him in permanently this summer.
Everton just made money by selling Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for £50 million, and they are also interested in signing Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds.
Speaking exclusively to LeedsUnited.News earlier this month, transfer specialist Graeme Bailey stated that Everton will solve it either before the conclusion of the window or in January.
“Of course, Harrison’s permanent departure is significant. Leeds didn’t push it too hard because they know Everton isn’t ready to do it just yet. However, if the takeover goes as planned, Harrison could have a permanent deal by January.
