Lewis Bate, Leeds Under-21s midfielder, puts pen to paper and signs on loan for MK Dons until the end of the season. This deal is subject to League and FA clearance.
Before signing permanently for Leeds United, Bate came through Chelsea’s youth system where he impressed enough to earn a spot on the bench for the Men’s first team on three separate occasions. The move to Leeds United happened in July 2021, where Bate joined the Yorkshire club under the management of Marcelo Bielsa.
The young midfielder signs the second senior loan deal of his career so far after enjoying a short spell at Oxford United previously, where he amounted a number of 35 appearances for the League One outfit throughout the 2022/23 season.
“I’m excited to be here and get going.” Lewis commented about his loan move to MK Dons, he continued “I had discussions with Mike and his staff before I joined about how the system and style of play can benefit both me as a player and the team too, so I was sold on that.
“Whilst I’m here I am looking to develop more as a player, but I think the main goal for me is to get promoted with MK Dons. There’s no shying away from that, that is the goal.
Bate continued to say “I can’t wait to get playing in front of the fans and with the lads in such a great stadium.
“I’m a ball-playing midfielder who loves to get on and move the ball around whilst trying to progress the team forward.”
At just 19-years-old, Bate made his senior debut for Leeds in an FA Cup Third-Round fixture against West Ham United. Although, goals from Manuel Lanzini and Jarrod Bowen eliminated the Whites from the competition.
From then, the midfielder also earned his first Premier League appearance against a familiar opponent in West Ham before returning to the field of action to face Arsenal and his former club Chelsea later on in the 2021/22 campaign.
Bate has also represented England within three separate age groups as a young Three Lions player.
Initially earning his international debut with the under-17s, the London-born midfielder then earned himself a spot in the under-18s squad before moving his way into Under-20s setup.
Bate saw his first international goal as an Under-20 which secured a 1-1 draw against Italy.
When asked about the signing of the Leeds Academy midfielder, MK Dons Head Coach Mike Williamson said, “Lewis is an exciting addition for us as he adds great quality into the side.
“He’s a midfielder that will definitely increase the quality and competition within that dressing room, and we’re delighted to have him on loan here.”
