Bakke exits to join O'Leary
Leeds midfielder completes loan switch to Aston Villa
Yorkshire Post
Ian Appleyard
EIRIK BAKKE last night quit Leeds United for a reunion with his former manager David O'Leary at Aston Villa.
The Norwegian midfielder, pictured right, will spend the next four months on loan at the Premiership club – saving Leeds around £450,000 in wages.His departure also severed the last remaining link between the current squad and the side O'Leary led to the last four of the European Champions League just four years ago.
Although defender Gary Kelly remains on the books, he was only on the bench when Leeds lost 3-0 to Valencia in May 2001.Striker Michael Ricketts, another high earner, was also shipped out on loan by manager Kevin Blackwell – joining Championship rivals Cardiff City until January 3.
The one-time England international endured a desperate first season at Elland Road after leaving Middlesbrough but scored in last week's Carling Cup victory over Oldham Athletic.
Ironically, while Bakke joins O'Leary, Ricketts will link-up with the former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale, now involved with the board at Cardiff.
Leeds, however, were unable to complete the signing of defender Brede Hangeland from Viking Stavanger but intend to explore the possibility of a loan deal when the Norwegian season ends next month.
Blackwell said: "We are being prudent with our finances and – although people like to talk about 'the money we have spent' – we had spent only £675,000 before our recent (£1m) move for Richard Cresswell.
"These two loans give both players an opportunity to play first-team football and, while I don't have the biggest squad in the league, I do believe that we now have quality rather than quantity and can do well.
"Over the last 14 days, we received enquiries for 12 different players.
"We only let two go and the level of interest shows how far we have come as a club. Now we only let players go when clubs meet our valuations and we feel the deal is right."
Leeds midfielder completes loan switch to Aston Villa
Yorkshire Post
Ian Appleyard
EIRIK BAKKE last night quit Leeds United for a reunion with his former manager David O'Leary at Aston Villa.
The Norwegian midfielder, pictured right, will spend the next four months on loan at the Premiership club – saving Leeds around £450,000 in wages.His departure also severed the last remaining link between the current squad and the side O'Leary led to the last four of the European Champions League just four years ago.
Although defender Gary Kelly remains on the books, he was only on the bench when Leeds lost 3-0 to Valencia in May 2001.Striker Michael Ricketts, another high earner, was also shipped out on loan by manager Kevin Blackwell – joining Championship rivals Cardiff City until January 3.
The one-time England international endured a desperate first season at Elland Road after leaving Middlesbrough but scored in last week's Carling Cup victory over Oldham Athletic.
Ironically, while Bakke joins O'Leary, Ricketts will link-up with the former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale, now involved with the board at Cardiff.
Leeds, however, were unable to complete the signing of defender Brede Hangeland from Viking Stavanger but intend to explore the possibility of a loan deal when the Norwegian season ends next month.
Blackwell said: "We are being prudent with our finances and – although people like to talk about 'the money we have spent' – we had spent only £675,000 before our recent (£1m) move for Richard Cresswell.
"These two loans give both players an opportunity to play first-team football and, while I don't have the biggest squad in the league, I do believe that we now have quality rather than quantity and can do well.
"Over the last 14 days, we received enquiries for 12 different players.
"We only let two go and the level of interest shows how far we have come as a club. Now we only let players go when clubs meet our valuations and we feel the deal is right."