Leeds United prospect Harry Gray explains how 'crazy' numbers inspired Sheffield Wednesday move
The teenager's second temporary move away from Leeds United was confirmed on Tuesday.
Leeds United striker Harry Gray says Sheffield Wednesday's season ticket numbers figured in his decision to move on loan.
Gray will spend the 2026/27 campaign in League One, having had a taste of the division on loan with Rotherham United from January to May this year. The 17-year-old has secured a season-long loan with the Owls, who are targeting an immediate return to the Championship.
A new ownership regime was heralded with a party atmosphere at Hillsborough at the end of last season and Gray says the club's support was part of the reason why he picked this option.
.jpeg?trim=45,0,0,0&width=640&quality=65)
"There were quite a few clubs interested but it was an easy decision because this is such a big club," he said. "It’s crazy to think about 24,000 season tickets in League One and the timing is perfect, as I have a full pre-season to settle in. Hillsborough is a special stadium when the fans get going and I think this year, with everything that's going on around the place, it should be unbelievable and hopefully a season to remember. It’s the perfect place for me.”
Sheffield Wednesday sporting director Simon Wilson believes the Leeds striker showed enough during his loan stint at Rotherham United to suggest he can make a difference in League One.
"Harry has an elite record in youth football and proved last season that he can translate his qualities to a senior environment," said Wilson. "In challenging circumstances, he delivered a good attacking impact in this league and his experiences with Rotherham United will provide solid foundations for him to build from."
One of the issues for Gray last season as he got a first proper taste of competitive men's football was his side's struggles going forward. The Millers failed to routinely provide the kind of chances a young striker could feed on. This season with Wednesday expecting to be among the clubs pushing for promotion, Wilson says Gray will get chances to score goals.
“Our playing identity will demand that we create a lot of opportunities, and we expect Harry to be a big threat to our opponents,” he added. “We are thankful to Leeds United for trusting us with the next phase of his development and look forward to bringing him into the group.”