Leeds United loan signings

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Chris

Leeds United have confirmed the loan signings of Alan Tate from Swansea and Jerome Thomas from West Bromwich Albion, with the Turner twins leaving to gain first team football.

Tate

Alan Tate joins Leeds on loan until January 1st. The 30-year old central defender joins from Premiership side Swansea.

Tate started his career as a trainee with Manchester United and spent time on loan with Belgium side, Royal Antwerp. Further loan spells with Swansea saw him make the permanent switch to Wales in February 2004 where he has made 325 appearances, scoring 5 times.

Tate will start against Crystal Palace on Saturday with Jason Pearce suspended.

Thomas

Jerome Thomas has joined on a loan deal until January from Premiership team West Bromwich Albion.

Thomas started his career started his career with Arsenal and has made over 200 appearances for QPR, Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth and West Brom. He also made two appearances for the England u21 team in the 2002-03 season and has scored league 21 goals.

Thomas will be in the squad for the Crystal Palace game and will be eligible to play against Chelsea in the Capital One cup in December.

Going Out

Nathan and Lewis Turner have left Leeds United on loan deals until January 2nd to give them the opportunity to play competitive games. Both Players have been part of the development squad this season, which takes a break during December.

Nathan has joined Chester FC, who are in second place in the Blue Square Norther Division, with Lewis joining Harrogate town.

Zac Thompson and Dominic Poleon both joined Bury in October on a months loan, which was subsequently extended. However, Poleon has since been recalled and is now back with the rest of the Leeds squad. Both players had made an impact after joining former Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell. Poleon found the net twice in 7 games and Thompson once in 6 games. Thompson was also given a straight red card in his second game.

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Leeds takeover finally complete?

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Chris

An announcement has today been made, via the official website, regarding the takeover of Leeds United by GFH Capital. GFH Capital have agreed to the takeover, subject to football league approval, which will be officially completed after the end of a ‘one month transitional’ period, with the contracts being signed and completed at 10.30pm on Tuesday night.

When the takeover is complted, Dubai Based Investment Bank, GFH Capital will own 100% of shares in Leeds United. GFH Capital Deputy CEO David Haigh will join the Leeds Board with Immediate effect, with Salem Patel and Hisham Alrayes joining toward the end of December. GFH Capital Will inject further funds into the club to help Neil Warnock strengthen the team as well as allowing him to pursue his targets in January.

Controversial Leeds Chairman, Ken Bates will continue in his role until the end of the current campaign to help streamline the transfer of the club. Bates, who has been ’with’ Leeds since 2005, will then take up a new role as President of Leeds, with GFH Capital electing their own person as the new chairman. It is also understood Shaun Harvey will also continue in his current role.

The cost of the takeover has not been disclosed, however some reports have the figures to be between £44million and £52million. It has also been suggested there will be 4 installment paid of £17million each, depending on performances, etc.

It has taken around 6 months of negotiations between the 2 parties, which as left fans, players and the manager equally frustrated. With the end firmly in sight, it can only be hoped the club can move forward and make a push for promotion in the coming seasons.

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Leeds sign Winger

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Chris

Leeds United have signed Southend United winger Ryan Hall on loan with a view to a permanent transfer. 24-year old Hall has initially joined the Whites until January.

Hall started his career in the Crystal Palace Academy, making one league appearance before taking in loan spells at Lewes, Dagenham & Redbridge and Crawley. After leaving Palace he joined non-league Bromley where he scored 9 goals in 23 league games.

In 2010, Hall joined Southend where he would score 19 goals in 84 League games. 40 assists in 2 seasons alerted a number of clubs to Hall potential. Peterborough had a bid rejected by the Shrimpers who would later accept a higher bid from Blackpool. Despite training with Blackpool, the move failed to materialize after personal terms could not be agreed. Hall has been training away from the rest of the team after a fall out with the Southend hierarchy.

Hall has now been reunited with Neil Warnock, who initially let him leave Palace after some disciplinary issues at the club.

Meanwhile, Zac Thompson scored his first senior goal this week after joining Bury, together with Dom Poleon, on loan for a month. Leeds have allowed the youngsters to move on loan to gain match experience and join former Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell in Bury.

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Leeds to face Saints

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Chris

Leeds have been rewarded with Premiership opposition in the fourth round of the Capital One cup.

The whites will face Southampton at Elland Road. The Saints will be the second top flight team to visit Elland Road after Leeds beat high flying Everton on Tuesday night through goal from Aidy White and Rodolph Austin. Sylvian Distin pulled one back late on for Everton.

The game will be played week commencing Monday October 29th.

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Tonge joins Leeds

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Chris

It has been confirmed today on the official website, the signing of Michael Tonge. Tonge has Joined the Whites on an emergency loan until December.

Born in Manchester, the 29-year old midfielder links up with Neil Warnock for a second time after playing for the Leeds manager at Sheffield United, who he joined after being released from Manchester United’s youth team. A ‘big’ money transfer to Stoke City for a fee believed to be around £2million followed in 2008. Tonge has played for Preston North End (twice), Derby County and Barnsley all on loan after failing to establish himself in the Stoke first team.

He has over 300 career appearances to his name, scoring 24 goals. He played once for England under-20′s and twice for England under-21′s.

Leeds moved to bring Tonge into the squad after David Norris and Paul Green suffered injuries. Rodolph Austin returns from International duty today and should start alongside Tonge against Cardiff on Saturday. Michael Brown also resumed training today so should come into contention.

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Leeds United August Updates

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Chris

A lot happened at Elland Road in August with the start of the new season and the closing of the transfer window. No new players joined the club on deadline day, so we’ll concentrate on the match side with these updates.

The season started, unusually with a cup Match. The opening round of the newly named Capital One cup saw Leeds face Shrewsbury at Elland Road. An impressive 4-0 victory for the Whites saw Lucciano Becchio, Luke Varney, David Norris and Ross McCormack all open their accounts for the season.

The first game in the league also started at Elland Road with a tough looking game against recently relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers. Leeds secured the victory thanks to a diving header from Becchio following an inch perfect cross from McCormack. Paddy Kenny’s ball forward for McCormack in the build up was one of the best passes you will see.

Leeds would then face the beaten Play-off finalists, Blackpool at Bloomfield road. The hosts were a much stronger side, however the Whites managed to take the lead from a Tom Lees Header. unfortunately, the visitors could not hold outs, despite a solid defensive display and fell behind to two goals in the last ten minutes.

Peterborough away were next up, giving Leeds a chance to bounce back. Two goals for Lucciano Becchio, put Leeds in a commanding position, however, the hosts found a way back into the game through Michael Bostwick. United held on for the last twenty minutes to secure the victory, 2-1.

The last game of the month saw Leeds face Oxford in the Capital One Cup. A 3-0 victory being secured through a long-range effort from Rodolph Austin, a stunning turn and chip by 18-year old Sam Byram and a header by Tom Lees, after El Hadji Diouf cross. Leeds will face Everton at Elland Road on the 25th September with the game being shown live on Sky Sports.

Elsewhere, Tom Lees, Aidy White and Ross McCormack all committed themselves to Leeds for the next few seasons by signing new contracts. El Hadji Diouf has also signed a short-term deal with Leeds until January after receiving a ‘Special Welcome’ from the Elland Road crowd. Tom Lees has also earned his first call up to the England Under-21 squad.

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Leeds to face Everton

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Chris

Leeds will face Everton in the 3rd round of the Capital One cup.

The tie will be played at Elland Road during week commencing 24th September. Neil’s Warnocks men will face premiership opposition in the cup for the 3rd year running.

Leeds have already beaten Shrewsbury and Oxford United in this years competition and will look to progress further.

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Billy leaves Leeds

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Chris

It has been confirmed on the official website, the transfer of Billy Paynter to Doncaster Rovers.

Paynter joins the league one side on a 2 year contract after a difficult 2 seasons with the whites. Having joined Leeds from Swindon Town after a prolific season, injury would disrupt his preseason. Paynter would score 3 goals for the whites during his time with the club, but will be remembered mainly for his nickname, ‘Barndoor Billy’.

There will be no fee involved in the transfer after Leeds agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent.

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Leeds sign Diouf

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Chris

Leeds have completed the signing of El Hadji Diouf. Diouf joins on a non-contract basis.

Famously called a sewer rat by current Leeds manager Neil Warnock, Diouf has over 300 career appearances to his name. After starting his career in france, he made a big money move to Liverpool. Transfers to Bolton, Sunderland and Blackburn would follow. He also played I the scottish premier league.

Diouf signed a short term contract with Doncaster Rovers which included a release clause should they be relegated. Diouf had been training with Leeds before taking the option of a non-contract deal.

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Leeds takeover update

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Chris

Reports have been circulating today that the proposed takeover of Leeds united has collapsed. There is even talk of Shaun Harvey heading to Monaco to resurrect the deal with Ken Bates.

Lust, who originally announced a takeover was being discussed, have today stated the deal has collapsed. However the club have moved to calm nerves by issuing a statement.

The statement released on the official website stated “Leeds United announces that the exclusivity period granted to a potential investor as mentioned in the statement of 26 June has ended.

“The club remain happy to continue discussions, but not on an exclusive basis, so as not to prevent other options passing.

“The first priority must be to ensure that the credibility of any future investor or ultimate owner is such, that the Leeds legacy and its future is in safe hands, back in the Premiership.

“The club will continue to be receptive to approaches from potential new partners who can establish that they have the necessary credentials.

“Meanwhile, it is encouraging that there is a new spirit at the club under the management of Neil Warnock and his ten new signings. The club will making no further comment at this stage.”

Meanwhile Neil Warnock has placed Robbie Rogers and Danny Pugh on the transfer list in an effort to raise transfer funds. Pugh rejoined Leeds, initially on loan, at the start of last season. He signed a permanent contract in January after leaving Stoke.

Rogers joined from MLS side Columbus Crew in January, but struggled to make an impact due to injuries, having very little game time to prove himself.

Warnock has stated his desire to sign a right winger and a striker to complete his squad.

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