YORK City have added highly-rated Leeds United youth prospect Luca Thomas to their ranks.

As reported yesterday by the Press, Thomas has been training with Adam Hinshelwood's side following rumours of York's interest in the striker, who has enjoyed a productive start to the 2024/25 season.

Thomas, 20, has registered six goals and one assist in five games so far in the Premier League 2, before agreeing to join the Minstermen on a youth loan agreement which is expected to last until December.

Comfortable when playing either down the wing or through the middle, Thomas penned a contract extension with Leeds in the Summer having initially joined in 2021 from Manchester City.

His first season with the Whites was at under-18's level, where Thomas bagged 15 goals in 17 matches.

He would go on to continue impressing in Leeds' academy, with six goals and four assists in 18 appearances last season.

Thomas also has experience of playing against Vanarama National League opponents, featuring in the National League Cup earlier in the season and scoring twice in a 4-3 victory over Boston United.

His arrival comes as a direct replacement to Lenell John-Lewis, who is expected to be sidelined until the New Year after sustaining a hamstring injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Hull City.

Hinshelwood commented: “Leeds have let him train with us for the last few days, so we can cast an eye over him, and we have done that,

“We’ve been impressed with what we have seen, so it’s down to us to have a chat with Tony [McMahon, Director of Football] and then speak to Leeds and see what is best.

“We’ve been really encouraged by what we have seen from him and we’re hoping that we will be able to do something there.

“It can be a breath of fresh air, they [young players] are so desperate to come and play men’s football and show what they are all about, show their worth, and we’re getting a very talented player if we can manage to get Luca in.

“He’ll be one that is eager and keen to progress his career as well, so we’ll get the enthusiasm side a little bit more which could be good at this stage of the season as well.

“They [Thomas and John-Lewis] are different kinds of players, but are obviously both strikers.

“Luca is probably a bit more running off of the shoulder, a bit quicker and has a lovely left foot.

“He definitely knows where the back of the net is, so he’s definitely a different type of player.

“Len is more of a target man, holds up the ball brilliantly for us in the latter stages of the game when we potentially have to go a little bit longer.

“They are similar positions, but don’t play quite the same sort of stuff.”

Hinshelwood also spoke on his hopes of building a close relationship with Sky Bet Championship outfit Leeds, telling the Press: “It’s so important, for us as a club as well.

“There are some really big clubs on our doorstep and we count ourselves as a big club as well.

“It’s good for these younger players to come and experience playing in front of a big crowd each week, for a big club and with the pressures that come with that.

“If we can form these relationships, then I think we will be better for it.

“We had a game against Leeds and Luca did well, he scored against us and that’s pass and parcel of having these games.

“We played against Hull recently as well, so we get to look at first-hand what players are out there and available.”

Thomas is available to make his debut in York's National League match with bottom of the table Ebbsfleet United on Saturday, October 19 (3pm) at the LNER Community Stadium.