Who is Alfie Cresswell? The Leeds United academy star and brother of Charlie Cresswell in squad vs Brighton
Another young Leeds United prospect will be on the first-team bench against Brighton this afternoon.
Leeds United could hand debuts to as many as three academy stars against Brighton this afternoon.
Daniel Farke’s side are currently ravaged by injury with Pascal Struijk joining the likes of Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Noah Okafor and Ilia Gruev in sitting out. Captain Ethan Ampadu was a doubt through illness but kept his place in central midfield.
Having been named in the matchday squad for Monday’s 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur, full-back Jayden Lienou and midfielder Rhys Chadwick have again made the substitute’s bench. But Struijk’s absence has opened up a spot in the starting-XI.
With Sebastiaan Bornauw coming into the back three, Farke has named a third academy star on his bench in the form of Alfie Cresswell. Below is all you need to know about the potential debutant.
Who is Alfie Cresswell?
Born in July 2007, Cresswell is hoping to become the third member of his family to represent Leeds. The 18-year-old is younger brother to Charlie Cresswell, who left West Yorkshire for FC Toulouse in 2024, and father Richard who signed from Preston North End in 2005.
Like his older brother, Cresswell can operate comfortably at centre-back but the teenager can also play across the back-line and even in defensive midfield. He’s played in multiple roles while captaining Leeds Under-21s this season, scoring five goals in 26 games across all competitions.
Cresswell also skippered Scott Garnder’s side to their National League Cup triumph last season. The young defender has been involved in first-team training with Farke’s squad at times during the current campaign.
Cresswell contract
Leeds will hope to introduce Cresswell to their first-team picture much like older brother Charlie, with the younger sibling contracted at Elland Road until 2028. That deal was signed in September last year as club chiefs looked to tie down one of their most promising young players.
“I am buzzing to sign for another three years,” Cresswell said at the time. “Hopefully, I can get some good things done this year and hopefully progress over the next three years. I think I have progressed a lot. Using matches against senior teams as an example, those different types of games helped me develop as a player and have made me stronger. It means a lot to wear that armband for the Under-21s, especially as a fan, as well.
“Being able to play a few positions is a good thing as a player because it helps the manager but I reckon holding midfielder would be my main position this season. Training with the first team, there has been a lot more quality and high standards, so it has made me play better in training.
“In games, the Vertu Trophy and National League Cup is a good experience. Playing senior football is a lot harder but you have got to adapt to it. Hopefully I can train with the first team a bit more, score a few more goals and hopefully add to the team.”