Mac’s delighted to capture £1m Murphy - YEP 2/7/13

BRIAN McDERMOTT has hailed the £1m signing of Luke Murphy as a statement of intent for new-look Leeds United – following a ground-breaking day for the club.
United beat off strong competition from Blackburn Rovers and Wolves to land the highly-rated Crewe captain in a big-money deal, the first time they have spent seven figures on a player since signing Richard Cresswell for £1.15m from Preston in August 2005.
McDermott got the go-ahead to table a head-turning bid for Murphy after productive talks late last week with owners GFH Capital – who yesterday announced major boardroom changes with Salah Nooruddin taking over from Ken Bates as chairman and chief executive officer Shaun Harvey also stepping down from his role.
Following the capture of the 23-year-old, McDermott is now hoping many Whites supporters – a number of whom were waiting to see positive summer developments before purchasing season tickets – now hand the club a vote of faith.
McDermott, hoping to complete a second signing this week, possibly on ‘Wednesday or Thursday’, said: “I think we have made a statement and it’s been a really important day.
“I have to thank the owners for doing this deal because it’s a significant deal. We have had discussions and they have been fruitful. I have spoken to them about how I see things.
“I believe a deal like this can make a real difference to our fans. For people who are thinking about renewing season tickets, I would tell them to do that if they can as that will make a difference to us.”
McDermott insists the signing of midfield play-maker and set-piece specialist Murphy, who has agreed a three-year-deal, represents an outstanding investment. Murphy, watched by the likes of Aston Villa and Everton last term, comes to Leeds on the back of a stellar 2012-13 campaign, which saw him named in the PFA League One Team of the Year and help Crewe lift the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in April – when he scored a memorable goal at Wembley.
McDermott said: “If he does well for Leeds United – and I am sure he will – his value triples. There’s no doubt about that. That’s how you do good business. Not only from a financial, but playing point of view. He is a player I am sure the fans will love watching and he will fit right into what we are trying to do here.”
After the club pulled out the stops to sign Murphy, McDermott admits that departures both to balance the books and his squad could be a possibility – with central midfield looking particularly top-heavy following the player’s arrival.
He added: “I have to do the best I can to create the best balanced squad we can.
“You (also) have to remember the finances of the club as well to try and balance things in the best way you can.”

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