Leeds United have completed the signing of 16-year-old Thai youth international Silva Mexes from Manchester United. The young winger has agreed a two-year scholarship deal at Elland Road in a rare trans-Pennine academy transfer.
Mexes, who is the son of former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw, represents Thailand through his mother's heritage and has already been capped at Under-17 level. He plays primarily as a left-winger and is noted for his exceptional pace, having recorded a personal best of 11.1 seconds over 100 metres. The teenager left Manchester United two years after joining them from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2024.
Mexes will initially join Leeds United's Under-16 setup with a clear pathway mapped out for his development. The club's academy coaches are tasked with moulding their sides in the image of first-team manager Daniel Farke, who favours a 3-4-2-1 formation. The hope at Thorp Arch is that they have unearthed a future first-team diamond, though staff acknowledge Mexes remains a long way from being a finished article. His progression is expected to see him move through the Under-18s and Under-21s before any potential senior involvement.
This signing comes as the first-team enjoys a solid start to the Premier League season. Leeds currently sit ninth in the standings with five points from three games, having won one and drawn two. They have scored three goals and conceded two, leaving them with a positive goal difference and just four points behind leaders Manchester City. The club is also working through the final details of a new contract for manager Daniel Farke.
The capture of Mexes represents a strategic, long-term investment in youth talent. It follows the summer loan arrival of 21-year-old forward Jean-Matteo Bahoya from Eintracht Frankfurt, a deal which includes an option to make the move permanent for €30 million (£26m). Manager Daniel Farke has been vocal about his transfer philosophy. "I have to say I don’t like a deadline-day transfer," Farke said. "I don’t think it’s a good moment to make (big) signings."
Regarding the Bahoya deal, which contrasts with the deadline-day approach, Farke noted, "It’s also a good piece of business because it’s a loan, and if it develops in the right direction, we then also have the chance, more or less, to make it permanent." This focus on planning and development underpins the club's approach, with the Mexes signing being an out-of-window move that fits the model.
While the academy secures future talent, the senior squad prepares for its next challenge with a few injury concerns. Key players Ilia Gruev, Joe Rodon, and Mateo Joseph are currently sidelined, which fans can monitor on the club's injuries page. The team's unbeaten start, with a recent form of DDW, will be tested in their next fixture.
Leeds United host Newcastle United at Elland Road on September 14th. Newcastle currently sit seventh in the table, making it a significant early-season encounter. The full schedule of upcoming matches is available on the fixtures page. The club's focus remains on building a squad capable of sustaining its Premier League status, with the signing of Silva Mexes a clear investment in that long-term future.
