Statement released as Leeds United confirm Welsh youngster's loan exit

Leeds United insist they will keep a close eye on midfielder Charlie Crew following his season-long loan switch to Walsall.

Crew has joined the League Two outfit for the 2026/27 campaign, his third temporary Leeds exit. The Welsh midfielder helped Doncaster Rovers win promotion to League One during a six-month loan spell starting in January 2025, returning to the South Yorkshire outfit last summer.

But that second spell didn’t go as planned with Wales Under-21 commitments disrupting Crew’s domestic campaign, resulting in just 10 appearances before Doncaster terminated his loan in January. He made a handful of appearances for Leeds Under-21s during the second-half of last season.

Crew was part of Daniel Farke’s pre-season US tour squad, joining fellow youngsters including Alfie Cresswell and Rhys Chadwick. The 20-year-old twice came off the bench late on against Wrexham and Sunderland.

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A club statement said: “Leeds United can confirm midfielder Charlie Crew has joined Sky Bet League Two side Walsall on a season-long loan. The 20-year-old, who travelled to the United States as part of the first-team squad in pre-season, now heads to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium in search of regular senior football.

“Crew has previously enjoyed two separate loan spells with Doncaster Rovers in the EFL, featuring 24 times for the South Yorkshire club. On the international front, the Wales youngster made his senior debut for the Dragons in a 2024 friendly meeting with Gibraltar, complementing his nine Under-21s appearances.

“Everyone at Leeds United would like to wish Charlie well during his time away from the club and we will be monitoring his progress closely.”

Crew has just one first-team appearance for Leeds but two for the senior Wales national team. Walsall finished 13th in League Two last season and are currently managed by former Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant.