WARNOCK ON HIS NEW FACES
leedsunited.com 24/7/12
A busy week of deals delights manager...
United manager Neil Warnock is delighted at the prospect of welcoming four more new faces to his squad.
Former Portsmouth striker Luke Varney is set to join up with his new team-mates for the remainder of the tour of the south west, goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown and striker Andy Gray were already with the travelling party and have agreed deals to stay on, and a further deal has been agreed to sign SK Brann's Jamaican international midfielder Rodolph Austin.
Striker Gray is the most familiar face to Leeds fans having started his career with the club. He returned as a trialist during the summer, and scored two goals in the 5-2 friendly win at Farsley last week. Andy is finalising a one-year deal with the club.
"Right from day one he's always wanted to sign a year," said the boss. "I feel we did have options, but with the squad that we have he gives us good cover and there's always a goal in Andy. He's also desperate to play for Leeds again.
"I've known him at Sheffield United as well and I thought for the sort of contract he's come in on he's worth a shout. He's not signed a ten year contract. It's only one year and I think he'll be a good asset to the squad and he's good in the dressing room."
Goalkeeper Ashdown was a surprise face to Leeds fans when he emerged for the warm-up at Tavistock on Monday at the same time as his two-year deal was being finalised. Jamie, who was at Portsmouth last season, made his debut as a second half substitute.
"I spoke to Jamie a few weeks ago and he was aware of my interest," said the boss. "He's had Middlesbrough and a few others talking to him, but I wanted him to sign and commit himself and this week he told me he would. He has good presence and he'll be good for Paddy as well."
Another arrival to be confirmed was Portsmouth striker Luke Varney. The marksman has been linked with the club for some weeks, but a deal the player underwent a medical on Monday before a deal was agreed for him to join the club.
"I've been after Luke for seven years on and off, and spoken to him a number of times with different clubs, so hopefully it's a sign of the times that we've talked him into signing for us," said the boss.
"We're still looking for a number of players but he's that kind of player...unpredictable, and the fans will like him. I'd like to think he can a few goals next year, and I think he'll enjoy the atmosphere at Elland Road."
While not signed, sealed and delivered, another deal agreed was that to sign midfielder Austin from SK Brann. Rodolph is another long-time target of the manager's and he's delighted to finally snare his man.
"I've tried to sign Rodolph an few times," said the boss. "They wanted £2m last time and I didn't think he was worth that type of money, but we've now agreed a fee.
"He's probably not one that catches the eye but he's one of the first on the manager's sheet. He'll have to get his work permit and what we need. We're in the process of dealing with that now, so hopefully it'll be sorted fairly quickly so we can work with him."
And, while admitting he's delighted with the work so far this summer, the boss says his strengthening mission isn't yet concluded.
"It's been one of the hardest summers I've ever had," he said. "But I feel there's still some crucial signings to come. We're working hard behind the scenes. It's a case of trying to get things over the line. Everyone is trying to help me get the players. We need a couple of excellent ones. We have to wheel and deal in that area. I think we have the nucleus, we have fringe players as well, it's just the icing on the cake now."
A busy week of deals delights manager...
United manager Neil Warnock is delighted at the prospect of welcoming four more new faces to his squad.
Former Portsmouth striker Luke Varney is set to join up with his new team-mates for the remainder of the tour of the south west, goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown and striker Andy Gray were already with the travelling party and have agreed deals to stay on, and a further deal has been agreed to sign SK Brann's Jamaican international midfielder Rodolph Austin.
Striker Gray is the most familiar face to Leeds fans having started his career with the club. He returned as a trialist during the summer, and scored two goals in the 5-2 friendly win at Farsley last week. Andy is finalising a one-year deal with the club.
"Right from day one he's always wanted to sign a year," said the boss. "I feel we did have options, but with the squad that we have he gives us good cover and there's always a goal in Andy. He's also desperate to play for Leeds again.
"I've known him at Sheffield United as well and I thought for the sort of contract he's come in on he's worth a shout. He's not signed a ten year contract. It's only one year and I think he'll be a good asset to the squad and he's good in the dressing room."
Goalkeeper Ashdown was a surprise face to Leeds fans when he emerged for the warm-up at Tavistock on Monday at the same time as his two-year deal was being finalised. Jamie, who was at Portsmouth last season, made his debut as a second half substitute.
"I spoke to Jamie a few weeks ago and he was aware of my interest," said the boss. "He's had Middlesbrough and a few others talking to him, but I wanted him to sign and commit himself and this week he told me he would. He has good presence and he'll be good for Paddy as well."
Another arrival to be confirmed was Portsmouth striker Luke Varney. The marksman has been linked with the club for some weeks, but a deal the player underwent a medical on Monday before a deal was agreed for him to join the club.
"I've been after Luke for seven years on and off, and spoken to him a number of times with different clubs, so hopefully it's a sign of the times that we've talked him into signing for us," said the boss.
"We're still looking for a number of players but he's that kind of player...unpredictable, and the fans will like him. I'd like to think he can a few goals next year, and I think he'll enjoy the atmosphere at Elland Road."
While not signed, sealed and delivered, another deal agreed was that to sign midfielder Austin from SK Brann. Rodolph is another long-time target of the manager's and he's delighted to finally snare his man.
"I've tried to sign Rodolph an few times," said the boss. "They wanted £2m last time and I didn't think he was worth that type of money, but we've now agreed a fee.
"He's probably not one that catches the eye but he's one of the first on the manager's sheet. He'll have to get his work permit and what we need. We're in the process of dealing with that now, so hopefully it'll be sorted fairly quickly so we can work with him."
And, while admitting he's delighted with the work so far this summer, the boss says his strengthening mission isn't yet concluded.
"It's been one of the hardest summers I've ever had," he said. "But I feel there's still some crucial signings to come. We're working hard behind the scenes. It's a case of trying to get things over the line. Everyone is trying to help me get the players. We need a couple of excellent ones. We have to wheel and deal in that area. I think we have the nucleus, we have fringe players as well, it's just the icing on the cake now."