News Articles > Could Town be set to see the return of Kian Harratt to the first team?

Could Town be set to see the return of Kian Harratt to the first team?

12/11/2021

Having made his Town debut as a 17 year old against Leeds under Danny Cowley, there were extremely high hopes for Kian who had hit 32 goals in 47 games in the previous season for the U17, U19 and the then Elite Development Side - now B team. The only players younger than Kian to feature in 2019/20 Championship season was Jay Stansfield and Jude Bellingham, and well, we know how good the latter went on to be! Harratt would only feature once for Town that season (and his only appearance to date), as he swapped West Yorkshire for North Yorkshire as he dropped down to National League level and joined Harrogate Town on loan for the second half of the season. As much as it was a brilliant eye-opener for Kian in the men's game, I doubt Town were entirely happy with the loan. Only featuring 4 times for the Sulphurites who won the National League play-offs, with Kian being part of their matchday squad at Wembley.
Kian spent over a month out of loan at 6th tier Guiseley last season where he made 5 appearances. For the B team as well last season, things didn't really go to plan, injury and quite a subdue season compared with his previous seasons delayed his first-team opportunities.

Who is he?

Kian is a 19 year old, 6ft striker who has a real eye for goal. Harratt signed to the academy in the summer of 2018 from Leeds United's academy and signed his first pro deal just over a year later. That initial pro deal lasted until June 2021, although Kian has subsequently extended until 2023.
From watching Kian play in the B team games, what has impressed me is how he finds space in the box along with his finishing ability. He has a natural finishing sense which is not as common nowadays as it used to be, so he a really decent dynamic option for Town.

This season

Kian has 14 in 12 this season for the B team as he looks like he is really finding his goalscoring form again. In his last game against Sheffield Wednesday, Harratt scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win.
With Kieran Phillips out on loan, Mipo Odubeko not fancied and Jordan Rhodes out injured, Corberan only has Ward and Campbell at his disposal and given Harratt's goalscoring form, it wouldn't be a surprise if we see the return of the Yorkshiremen.
At his age, Kian needs minutes and Town need to decide whether they are going to give them him at Town or loan him out. If they choose the latter, the level needs to be one which Town are confident he will get minutes at, but also be a challenge - a loan to League Two would probably be his level.
I think Kian was dropped in the deep end when he came on against Leeds nearly 2 years ago, he wasn't ready and was only used as Town were in an injury crisis. He has had two loans which for although they were not substantial, they will have made him stronger as a character. Scoring for fun for the B team this season and looking like he is returning to his early potential trajectory, Town have a much better and rounded player than we saw against Leeds. He is certainly an exciting one to keep an eye out for.