Welcome to the Premier League, Jack Harrison.
The former New York City FC winger scored on his debut in England’s top flight, drawing Leeds United level at 1-1 in the 12th minute of Saturday’s season-opening clash against defending champions Liverpool.
Harrison collected a long ball on the left flank, beat two defenders with some incisive dribbling and finished confidently at the near post with his right foot. Check out the delectable goal for yourself:
Newly-promoted Leeds, under the guidance of renowned coach Marcelo Bielsa, gave Liverpool all they could handle, only falling to a 4-3 defeat thanks to a late penalty. Harrison would end up going the full 90 minutes plus stoppage time.
Harrison, 23, arrived stateside from Manchester United's academy as a teenager to play for Berkshire, a top-end Massachusetts prep school program. He rose through the ranks and spent one year at Wake Forest in the NCAA before being picked No. 1 overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago Fire FC.
Quickly traded to NYCFC, Harrison had 14 goals and 13 assists across two MLS seasons before securing a move overseas to Manchester City. After an initial loan to Middlesbrough, the Englishman spent the following two seasons at Leeds and helped them secure promotion to the Premier League.
Jack Harrison's NYCFC highlights
Now in his third season at Leeds, Harrison’s on another year-long loan and has carved out a significant role Bielsa. He’s also making some history, becoming Leeds’ first Premier League debutant to score since Nick Barmby in August 2002 against Manchester City.
This is Leeds’ first season in the Premier League since 2003-04, of course, though he’s already contributing against top clubs.
