Temba Bavuma, Annerie Dercksen, Dewald Brevis, Kagiso Rabada, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Ayanda Hlubi are some of the others to win major awards

Firdose Moonda31-Jul-2025

Left-arm spinners Keshav Maharaj and Nonkululeko Mlaba were named South Africa’s men’s and women’s players of the year, respectively, at the annual CSA awards for the 2024-25 season.The judging period takes into account last year’s T20 World Cups (both men and women) – South Africa reached the final in both tournaments – the home summer and the 2025 Champions Trophy, but not the World Test Championship final, which South Africa won.That means performances like Aiden Markram’s mace-winning century and Kagiso Rabada’s Lord’s nine-for will be considered next year. Rabada, though, was named men’s player of the year by his peers.Both Maharaj and Mlaba starred across the Test and T20I formats, which was South Africa’s focus over the last year.Maharaj took 40 wickets in seven Tests between August 2024 and January 2025, including twin four-fors against West Indies, and five-wicket hauls in Chattogram and Gqeberha. He was also South Africa’s third-highest wicket-taker at the 2024 T20 World Cup.Nonkululeko Mlaba was adjudged the women’s Player of the Year at the CSA Awards•Cricket South Africa

In the women’s game, Mlaba’s 12 wickets at the T20 World Cup was the second-highest in the tournament, behind the haul by New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr. She also became the only South Africa woman to take ten wickets in a Test match with her haul of 10 for 157 against England in December, and is South Africa’s second-highest Test wicket-taker of all time.Temba Bavuma was named Test player of the year after his two hundreds in the home summer (against Sri Lanka in Durban and against Pakistan in Cape Town) helped South Africa qualify for the WTC final.Now-retired Heinrich Klaasen was awarded the ODI player of the year for topping the run-charts in the Pakistan series in an otherwise lean 50-over calendar for South Africa, and Anrich Nortje, who was South Africa’s leading bowler at the T20 World Cup, won the T20 player of the year award. Ottneil Baartman, South Africa’s most economical bowler at the T20 World Cup, was named newcomer of the year.Annerie Dercksen scored her maiden ODI century in the tri-series in Sri Lanka•SLC

At the domestic level, Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ three hundreds in five matches, including his match-saving century in the first-class final, trumped leading run-scorer Jordan Hermann, while Jon Jon Smuts’ one-day form earned him that award.Kwena Maphaka, who was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the CSA T20 Challenge, scooped up the T20 player of the season award, and Dewald Brevis, who was the third-highest first-class run-scorer and second-highest scorer in the one day cup, was the domestic players’ player of the year.Among the coaches, former South Africa and current Lions’ coach Russell Domingo was named division one coach of the year after his team won both the four-day and T20 competitions, while Ahmed Amla, who oversaw Kwa-Zulu Natal Inland’s promotion to division one, won the award for that level.Mlaba was also the women’s players’ player of the year, while Annerie Dercksen, who was the ICC’s newcomer of 2024, was named women’s ODI player of the year. She was the leading run-scorer in the tri-series against India and Sri Lanka in May, where she also scored her first ODI century. Seamer Ayanda Hlubi was named women’s newcomer of the year.

Teams settle for enthralling draw after Hampshire’s enterprising declaration

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Aug-2025 Hampshire 293 (Middleton 79, Weatherley 62, Taylor 5-55) and 313 for 7 dec (Gubbins 84, Organ 45*) drew with Worcestershire 249 (Libby 100*, Hose 82, Baker 5-72) and 303 for 8 (Libby 106, Kashif 65)Worcestershire produced a bold and spirited run-chase on the final day at Visit Worcestershire New Road, before the Rothesay County Championship Division One fixture against Hampshire ended in a gripping draw.Chasing a daunting target of 358 in just 53 overs after Hampshire’s enterprising post-lunch declaration on 313 for 7, the home side carried hope of completing one of the Championship’s most dramatic final-day turnarounds.In a match that ebbed and flowed throughout, it was Jake Libby’s second magnificent century of the game, a perfectly judged 106 off 122 balls, that fuelled Worcestershire’s pursuit. With solid support from Kashif Ali (65 from 79) and a string of aggressive cameos down the order, the chase was very much alive deep into the final hour. But with wickets falling, the hosts closed on 303 for 8, 55 runs shy of their target.Resuming on 139 for 2 overnight, Hampshire batted with purpose to build their second-innings lead, despite a short interruption from rain. Nick Gubbins anchored the innings with a fluent 84, while Tilak Varma added 38 and Felix Organ struck an unbeaten 45 from 54 balls.There were contributions all the way down the order, with Joe Weatherley (25), Tom Prest (27), and James Fuller (26) all chipping in to maintain momentum. Ben Allison (2 for 58) and Ethan Brookes (2 for 54) were the pick of the Worcestershire attack, with Taylor, Waite, and Finch each taking a wicket.Hampshire’s declaration just after lunch, setting Worcestershire 358 to win in a minimum of 53 overs, showed real intent, and set the stage for an enthralling afternoon.Worcestershire’s chase got off to a stuttering start when Gareth Roderick was adjudged run out for 4 in the very first over, but from then on, the home side turned the game on its head.Libby and Kashif added a superb 134 for the second wicket in just over an hour and a half. The pair struck the ball cleanly and rotated the strike with authority, bringing up their respective half-centuries in fine style. Libby, who had scored just one previous Championship hundred this season, was timing the ball sweetly and accelerated confidently after reaching fifty.Kashif, too, looked composed, striking six fours and two sixes before falling lbw to Sonny Baker for a brisk 65. At tea, Worcestershire were 61 for 1 from 15 overs, very much in the game.The final session saw drama at every turn. Worcestershire kept pushing with a string of aggressive middle-order contributions. Adam Hose clubbed a quick 25 from 18 balls before being bowled by Eddie Jack, who proved a key figure with 3 for 63. Brookes (12), D’Oliveira (37 off 23), Waite (19), and Taylor (25 from 18) all took the fight to Hampshire’s bowlers, but wickets began to fall regularly.Libby reached a majestic hundred, his 13th for Worcestershire, but was finally bowled by Fuller as he looked to push on, the score 213/5.Still, the hosts didn’t relent. D’Oliveira’s cameo, five crisp boundaries in 23 balls, briefly reignited hopes, but follow the Worcestershire skippers dismissal, Allison and Finch saw the Pears safely through to the close.

Veteran starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel is in agreement with the Kansas City Royals on a minor league contract, according to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The 37-year-old former Cy Young winner held a workout last week and hit 92 miles per hour on the radar gun. He will report to Triple-A. If he makes it back to the majors, he will earn $2 million prorated.

Keuchel started four games for the Milwaukee Brewers last season, where he gave up 10 runs over 16.2 innings pitched – good for a 5.40 ERA. He was designated for assignment following his four starts with the franchise.

Keuchel has bounced around quite a bit in recent years, but the Royals are taking a shot on him in hopes he can find a semblance of prior form.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fortaleza repudiou as acusações do dono da SAF do Botafogo, John Textor, em nota oficial divulgada na madrugada desta terça-feira (2). Na noite de segunda-feira (1º), o bilionário afirmou, por meio de publicações em seu site, que jogadores do Leão do Pici participaram de manipulação partida contra o Palmeiras, pelo Brasileirão de 2022, terminada em 4 a 0 para o Verdão.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Via redes sociais, o Tricolor afirmou que “tomará todas as medidas judiciais cabíveis” sobre a questão. Apesar das fortes declarações, John Textor não apresentou nenhuma prova de manipulação de resultados nas partidas que apontou fraude, como cita o Fortaleza em seu texto.

Confira, na íntegra, a nota publicada pelo Fortaleza contra as acusações do dono da SAF do Botafogo:

O Fortaleza repudia de forma veemente as declarações do Sr. John Textor, dono da SAF do Botafogo, que acusa atletas do tricolor de estarem envolvidos em esquema de manipulação de resultados.
Lamentamos que essas afirmações proferidas, sem a apresentação de quaisquer provas, possam macular a reputação de nossa instituição centenária, gerando assim danos na imagem do clube. Não acreditamos nessa forma de fazer futebol, preferimos o caminho da verdade, e caso o Sr. John Textor tenha provas, que as apresente para que os culpados sejam punidos.
O Fortaleza Esporte Clube espera que tudo seja esclarecido de forma legal, e caso necessário, tomará todas as medidas judiciais cabíveis.

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➡️ Palmeiras campeão garantido e goleada no São Paulo: relembre jogos que Textor cita manipulação

Além do Leão do Pici, o São Paulo também foi alvo das acusações de John Textor. Segundo o empresário, cinco jogadores do Tricolor Paulista teriam feito parte de manipulação na goleada do Palmeiras por 5 a 0, no Brasileirão do ano passado. Há meses, o dono do Botafogo vem afirmando que o Verdão vem sendo favorecido pela arbitragem.

Tudo sobre

BotafogoFortalezaJohn Textor

Liverpool are now reportedly racing Real Madrid to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in 2026 amid comparisons with France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.

After spending over £400m in the summer, the Reds have set their sights on further arrivals to solve the glaring problems in Arne Slot’s squad. The Premier League champions find themselves in an unprecedented position, having lost six of their last seven games in all competitions.

They must find a solution against Aston Villa this weekend and their manager expects them to do exactly that back in front of their home fans in the league.

The Dutchman did, however, confirm that Liverpool are likely to be without record signing Alexander Isak and midfielder Curtis Jones just as Ryan Gravenberch works towards making a return.

No one expected Liverpool to find themselves in this position after spending big in the summer, but it’s now something that Slot must use to prove his worth.

The Premier League crown has slipped and for the first time, he is under increasing pressure. That said, it would be incredibly out of character for Michael Edwards to make any immediate decisions and last year’s title has certainly bought Slot plenty of time to turn things around.

What could change instead is the personnel on the pitch. Despite spending big in the summer, Liverpool could yet welcome further reinforcements in 2026 after Slot complained about squad depth in midweek.

This could finally see Marc Guehi arrive as well as teenage sensation Bouaddi in what would be two excellent moves.

Liverpool learn placement in Bouaddi race

According to reporter Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are now battling Real Madrid to sign Boauddi from Lille, who are readying themselves for the inevitable sale of their 18-year-old star.

Compared to Camavinga by Football Transfers, Bouaddi has become the most “talked-about player in Europe”, according to Bailey, and it’s now Liverpool who are “most interested” alongside Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Liverpool have been left burned by Real Madrid in past transfer windows, so they should be desperate to avoid a repeat and land one of Europe’s most promising stars.

Every Liverpool game that Jeremie Frimpong will now miss after latest injury

More bad news for the Reds

By
Tom Cunningham

Oct 31, 2025

Their midfield is far from set these days, either. Alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Gravenberch, there has been a missing piece as of late that Bouaddi could provide for years to come.

Forget Endo: Liverpool star is looking like Fabinho in his final season

The five T20Is were the only home series for the South Africa men’s team this summer

Firdose Moonda24-Sep-2025South Africa may be forced to shorten their only men’s international home series this summer – against West Indies – for both teams to get to the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka on time. South Africa are scheduled to host West Indies for five T20Is between January 27 and February 6, but as reported by ESPNcricinfo last week, the T20 World Cup is set to be played between February 7 and March 8.On August 28, the ICC sent participating teams a Member Information Pack, with information regarding warm-up matches. The document, seen by ESPNcricinfo, states that the ICC’s support period – the time in which teams are expected to arrive in the host countries and play non-obligatory warm-up games – starts on January 31. That has moved up from February 3, while CSA had drawn up their home fixtures with the understanding that South Africa would have enough time to travel to the T20 World Cup.It is not mandatory for countries to spend the entire support period in the host venue, but the ICC asked participating countries to list by September 5 how many warm-up matches they want to play, with options ranging between none to a maximum of two. Only if a country opts for two matches, will the support period become one week prior to the tournament opener. CSA are currently in discussions with CWI to see when West Indies want to arrive in the subcontinent and how many matches they want to play there. If teams opt for no warm-up games, the mandatory support period is four days prior to the first match on February 7. If a team opts for one warm-up then the support period will five to six days prior to the tournament opener.The warm-up information is significant only because it allows the ICC to confirm an arrival date for each team.Even if West Indies do not want to play any T20 World Cup warm-up matches, CSA will still have to cull at least two of the five T20Is; the last two games are on February 3 and 6. The fixtures cannot be played any earlier with the SA20 ending on January 25. CSA is currently deciding which venues should host the matches against West Indies – at present, the venues are likely to be Paarl, Newlands, Buffalo Park in East London, Centurion and Johannesburg.

CSA always planned on having a less-crowded summer this year to prepare their venues for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Currently, drop-in pitches are in development around the country

England and Sri Lanka narrowly escape this problem; their three-T20I series in Sri Lanka will be played between January 30 and February 3. They also have the benefit of being in one of the host nations at the time.South Africa do not have any other men’s international fixtures at home this season, in part because their all-format tour of India ends on December 19, which left no space for matches before the original window of the SA20 in the first week of January. The SA20 has now been moved into the festive period and will start on December 26.However, the league is not the only reason for the lack of men’s international fixtures. CSA always planned on having a less-crowded summer this year to prepare their venues for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Currently, drop-in pitches are in development around the country. Next season, South Africa play ten home Tests (eight men’s and two women’s), including three-match series against Australia and England.

Real Madrid’s teen sensation Franco Mastantuono has weighed into the GOAT debate and risked the wrath of the Bernabeu faithful by claiming former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi deserves that title, not Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi and Ronaldo have traded titles and accolades at the world’s biggest clubs and at international tournaments for years, but Mastantuono believes his Argentina colleague has the edge as the finest player in history.

Injured star in fitness battle

A serious groin injury has halted Mastantuono’s promising start for Los Blancos, putting the teenage sensation's season on hold. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder arrived from River Plate in August for a record £40 million ($52.4m). After a brilliant pre-season and a few sparkling appearances, including becoming the youngest-ever Champions League starter for Madrid, his campaign has now come to an abrupt halt. 

Before his injury, the Argentina international had carved out a role under manager Xabi Alonso, showcasing his creative talent and ability to play between the lines. However, some critics in the Spanish media have questioned his influence in recent matches and his defensive effort, a far cry from the unstoppable form he displayed at River Plate. Now, with a long road to recovery ahead, the pressure is on the young Argentine to regain fitness and reclaim his momentum. With the recent return and excellent form of star Jude Bellingham, Mastantuono will face fierce competition for playing time upon his return, making his comeback one of the most anticipated storylines of the second half of the season. 

While continuing his recovery, Mastantuono has decided to offer his opinion on who is the greatest player of all time. 

AdvertisementAFP'He leaves you speechless every time he gets the ball'

The Real Madrid wonderkid told when asked to pick between Messi and Ronaldo: "I'm a Real Madrid fan and I'm at the biggest club in the world, but the best and greatest player in the world is Messi, and that will always be the case until he retires. I play with him on the national team and he's incredible. He leaves you speechless every time he gets the ball. He's admirable. It's amazing that he continues to surprise us teammates. I've played with many high-quality players, but being with him is a daily learning experience. I'm grateful for how he's always treated me. He's helped me a lot."

Ronaldo's Madrid career

Mastantuono's comments may not go down well with the Real faithful given Ronaldo's standing as a Bernabeu icon. The Portuguese striker scored 450 goals in 438 appearances for Madrid between 2009 and 2018 to become the club's all-time top scorer.

His incredible performances upfront inspired Real to four Champions League crowns and two La Liga titles, among a host of other trophies. Ronaldo eventually left the Spanish capital to join Juventus in a €100 million deal, and now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr.

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Getty Images SportMessi's number is up!

In September, Mastantuono created history with the Argentine national team as the Los Blancos youngster wore the iconic No. 10 for the Albiceleste in the absence of Inter Miami superstar Messi. In doing so, the teenager became the youngest player in Argentina history to don the legendary number. He did it aged 18 years and 23 days, surpassing Diego Maradona. On being given the honour, Mastantuono said: "It's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I didn't expect it. I didn't know I was going to wear it. It surprised me. Sharing the field with Leo and seeing how Messi represents it makes me really want to wear it. Nobody will ever be like him, but it's an honor to be able to wear a number that he wore for so long."

ICC announces pre-sale prices as low as one US dollar approximately

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Sep-2025

Tickets for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup have gone on sale with less than a month to go for the start of the tournament on September 30 in Guwahati.On Thursday, the ICC announced that tickets for all the group matches in India and Sri Lanka were available on pre-sale on tickets.cricketworldcup.com for four days from 1900 IST and SLST on September 4 via the Google Pay platform. The second phase of ticket sales will begin on September 9 at 2000 IST and SLST (1430 GMT) on tickets.cricketworldcup.com.According to the ICC, ticket prices will start at INR 100 (USD 1.14 approx.) in the first pre-sale phase – “the most affordable pricing for any ICC global event in history.”Related

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USD 13.88 million prize money for Women's ODI World Cup

The Women’s ODI World Cup will be contested by eight teams – India, Sri Lanka, England, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh – across five venues: Colombo, Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam, and Navi Mumbai. India and Sri Lanka open the tournament on September 30 in Guwahati, and the final is on November 2 at a yet-to-be-decided venue.The ICC recently announced that the total prize money for the tournament is USD $13.88 million, nearly a fourfold increase from the USD 3.5 million for the previous women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand in 2022.

Somerset out of contention for knockouts after slipping to heavy defeat between showers

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay07-Sep-2025Sisters Kathryn and Sarah Bryce scored half-centuries to guide The Blaze to a 44-run bonus point victory over Somerset on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in a rain-shortened Metro Bank One Day Cup match at Taunton Vale Sports Ground.Sarah Bryce top-scored with 68 from 54 balls, hit 12 fours and shared in an opening stand of 76 inside 10 overs with Georgie Boyce as The Blaze posted 252 for 6 in a contest reduced to 33 overs-a-side. Kathryn Bryce then made 63 not out from 60 balls with eight fours, staging a partnership of 72 with Orla Prendergast, who weighed in with a forthright 46. Charlie Dean did her best to keep Somerset in contention, returning figures of 3 for 50 from seven overs.Chasing a revised target of 214 in 26 overs, Somerset never recovered from the wreckage of 9 for 4, Cassidy McCarthy taking three wickets in a devastating eight-ball burst that all but settled the outcome during the powerplay. Amanda-Jade Wellington raised a defiant 28-ball 53 and Fran Wilson hit 33, but McCarthy finished with 3 for 12 as the home side were bowled out for 169 in 22.2 overs.Victory cemented The Blaze’s position in the top three and materially improved their prospects of making the final stages of the 50-over competition, but Somerset are now out of contention with two games remaining.Making the most of short boundaries and a quick outfield, Boyce and Sarah Bryce accrued 11 boundaries on their way to 61 without loss from a seven-over powerplay after being put in on a drying surface. When the seamers struggled to contain the flow of runs, Somerset turned to spinners Dean and Wellington in an attempt to turn the tide.England international Dean struck in her second over, persuading Boyce to drive to mid-off and depart for a run-a-ball 31 with the score 76 for 1 in the 10th over. But there was no dislodging Sarah Bryce, who went to an assured half-century from 40 balls with 10 fours, the Blaze wicketkeeper-batter growing in stature all the time.There was a sense of relief within Somerset ranks when offspinner Chloe Skelton bowled Bryce in the act of cutting in the 18th, her dismissal providing the home side with much-needed respite. Thereafter, Prendergast and Kathryn Bryce proved adept at finding the gaps, the pair combining clever placement and forceful running in staging a third-wicket stand of 73 in eight overs.Ireland international Prendergast seized on anything wide or short of a length, pulling Alex Griffiths for the first six of the innings and then driving Skelton for four as returning rain rendered control difficult for the bowlers. She had raised 46 off 31 balls and helped herself to five fours and a six when she skied a catch to backward point off the bowling of Wellington as The Blaze slipped to 195 for 3.Somerset continued to fight back, Dean bowling the dangerous Georgia Elwiss and then pinning Ella Claridge lbw to further reduce their opponents to 212 for 5 in the 29th. But Kathryn Bryce continued to carry the fight to Somerset, raising her 50 via 52 balls with her sixth four and putting on 34 for the sixth wicket with Michaela Kirk, who contributed a useful 17 from nine deliveries.A further downpour caused seven overs to be lost and, when Somerset resumed their innings, they were required to score a further 209 at 8.36 an over. Their task quickly became even more difficult, Bex Odgers pulling McCarthy’s first ball to square leg and fellow opener Niamh Holland nicking a catch behind off the bowling of Grace Ballinger.Generating pace and swing aplenty, McCarthy bowled Sophie Luff and Dani Gibson with successive deliveries, at which point she had taken three wickets in eight balls and the home side were deep in trouble on 9 for 4. Kirstie Gordon then had Dean held by Kirk on the midwicket boundary as Somerset slumped to 22 for 5.Wilson and Wellington did their utmost to make a game of it thereafter, staging a face-saving alliance of 69 in 6.5 overs in the late-afternoon sunshine. Not afraid to play expansive strokes, these two raised a quickfire 50 from 33 balls in a blaze of boundaries, Wellington plundering five consecutive fours off the bowling of Prendergast to put the visitors on the back foot for the first time.Elwiss accounted for Wilson, caught at short fine leg, but the defiant Wellington went on to post a rapid 50 from just 26 balls with 10 fours. She was run out by Kathryn Bryce soon afterwards, her dismissal signaling the end of meaningful West Country resistance.

If Leeds United are to collect a much-needed win on their travels next up in the Premier League away at Nottingham Forest, they will need to make sure they have packed their shooting boots.

Indeed, away from scoring three at Molineux back in September, Daniel Farke’s goal-shy Whites have regularly fired blanks on the road this season, with the 3-0 defeat handed to him last time out away at Brighton and Hove Albion only seeing the West Yorkshire outfit register a weak two shots on target.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has definitely frustrated a large volume of his new supporters, already, by regularly spurning opportunities, with five big chances missed in the Premier League this season coming courtesy of the wasteful ex-Everton marksman.

With both Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe not exactly banging the door down to take Calvert-Lewin’s starting spot off him, either, Farke could soon be tempted to throw Harry Gray into the senior mix more regularly, as the teenage sensation continues to frighten Premier League 2 defences in West Yorkshire.

Why Harry Gray should be in the first team

Despite only being 17 years of age, Gray has already received some first-team chances here and there, to begin to live up to his well-known family name, which has also seen Archie Gray go on to be a £40m sale to Tottenham Hotspur.

Leeds will hope they can hold on to the blistering number 45 for far longer than they managed with his Premier League-bound brother, though, with Gray perhaps the long-term fix to all their goalscoring woes.

From only 25 games lining up for both the U18s and U21s, Gray has a ridiculous 15 goals next to his name, leading to the England U17 international already being dubbed as “one of England’s best young prospects” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Of course, he does still have a very long way to go before he’s smashing goals home in the senior picture, with only one senior match under his belt to date.

But, do not be surprised if he’s handed more first-team chances very soon, having also recently penned a new long-term deal to stay put at his boyhood club, particularly if Calvert-Lewin continues to fluff his lines.

Amazingly, Gray isn’t the only goal machine being worked on at Thorp Arch at the moment, as another raw version of the 17-year-old is being brewed behind the scenes to excite Farke.

18-year-old Leeds star can rival Harry Gray

Leeds always seem to have a future talent ready on their conveyor belt, with the likes of Kalvin Phillips also homegrown, before he moved on to Manchester City.

The next starlet set for a big break at Elland Road could well be Lewis Pirie, with the 18-year-old situated in West Yorkshire ever since leaving former boyhood employers Aberdeen behind in 2023 for £200k, which is a wild fee to fork out for a rising star, especially one that was just 16 years of age at the time.

But, much like Gray, Pirie has been turning heads since a very tender age with his unbelievable goalscoring prowess to demand such an investment, with an insane 51 goals managed for club and country during the 2022/23 season, even seeing journalist James Marshment label the Scotsman as “one of the most in-demand young strikers around” when a move was clinched.

He has since slotted into the Leeds academy scene well, too, with his goalscoring promise for the U18s backing up his previous manager Jim Goodwin’s comments that he is a very “exciting” prospect.

Games played

33

Goals scored

7

Assists

1

Already, the five-time Scotland U17 international has fired home seven goals on the youth pitches in West Yorkshire, with three of those seven efforts coming during his first five breakneck outings for the U18s.

He is yet to get off the mark for the U21s, from just four appearances, but his continued rise up the ranks does bear similarities to Gray’s goal-laden ascent.

All this fresh blood excelling in attack away from the senior set-up will surely worry Calvert-Lewin when it comes to his long-term security, as the 28-year-old prays a purple patch comes his way soon, starting with a decisive strike against Forest on Saturday.

"Highly-rated" Leeds gem could now leave "on a free transfer in January"

Leeds United’s rising young goalkeeper could depart the club within the coming months.

ByJames O'Reilly Nov 5, 2025