Horton sets sights on keeping Leeds United in safe hands

The best of the young footballers at Leeds United are rarely asked to be patient these days. Good enough tends to be old enough and the make-up of the club’s current squad promotes that ethos at Elland Road.

Charlie Horton, the club’s American goalkeeper, is playing a slightly longer game. While outfield players younger than him are taking their first-team appearances towards three figures, Horton knows that goalkeeping is a slower burn; a position where coaches are not inclined to take risks. When he came to Leeds on a two-year contract in May, he did so without the promise of immediate senior football.

The 20-year-old is a USA youth international and a prospect whom United’s coaching staff plainly see as a No 1 some way down the line.

He joined the club from Cardiff City this summer, doubtless recommended by Richard Hartis, who was goalkeeping coach at Cardiff last season and took the same job at Leeds in June.

“He has very good potential,” said head coach Uwe Rosler after completing the transfer. “He’s one who will push every single day to get better.”

“As a goalkeeper, a long-term plan is really important,” Horton said. “You look at a goalkeeper’s career and you can play until you’re 40 if you’re fit. You peak in you 30s. For me, at 20 years old, it’s about ticking along and building a really strong foundation to go from.

“Richard (Hartis) talks about goalkeeping being like a bridge – you break at your weakest point. If part of its steel and part of its string, you’ll break where it’s made of string.

“For your game to stand up, it’s got to be strong in all areas. If there are areas where it’s weak, it’ll fall apart. I’m looking to develop.