Leeds United midfielder gets England under-18s debut in UEFA Friendship Cup after signing first pro deal
A Leeds United Academy midfielder has made his debut for England’s under-18s.
Leeds United Academy midfielder Sam Alker has made a winning debut for England’s under-18s, just two months on from signing his first pro deal.
Alker, 17, penned terms on a two-year deal as he signed his first professional contract with Leeds in July and the midfielder was then named in boss Will Antwi’s England under-18s squad for their UEFA Friendship Cup campaign in Switzerland.
The Young Lions began the tournament with Thursday’s clash against Colombia for which Alker was named on the bench and brought on with 14 minutes left.
England were already 3-0 up thanks as a brace from Jashayde Greenwood followed a strike from Michael Mills and there were no further goals as the Young Lions team began their campaign with a 3-0 victory.
England’s under-18s are back in action on Sunday with a 2pm kick-off against Egypt.
The 2026 Friendship Cup is being held from September 24 to October 3 at the Centre sportif de Colovray on Route de Genève 37 in Nyon.
Under-18 national teams from five of the world's six football confederations are competing, England and Spain representing UEFA.
Brazil and Colombia are representing CONMEBOL with Côte d'Ivoire and Egypt flying the flag for CAF.
The line up is completed by Korea Republic for AFC and Canada for Concacaf.