Leeds United: Whites complete Bamba signing
Yorkshire Evening Post 24/6/15
Leon Wobschall
LEEDS UNITED have completed the signing of centre-half Sol Bamba for an undisclosed fee from Palermo.
The defender, 30, who impressed during a loan spell at Elland Road in the second half of last season, has signed a two-year deal with the option of a third.
Bamba was one year into a three-year contract at Palermo but only made one league appearance since joining from Trabzonspor last August, with his days at the Sicilian outfit being effectively numbered.
The 30-year-old becomes United’s third summer signing following the recent arrivals of goalkeeper Charlie Horton from Cardiff City and striker Lee Erwin from Motherwell.
The former Leicester City centre-half proved an instrumental figure in United’s upturn in the first three months of the new year and produced several outstanding displays.
Bamba made 19 appearances for Leeds in total and despite causing controversy after openly criticising Leeds owner Massimo Cellino towards the end of season for sacking assistant manager Steve Thompson and his treatment of former head coach Neil Redfearn, the club tabled recently tabled a new offer.
This came after reports that Bamba had rejected an offer to make his temporary move permanent. But all parties remained in talks, with executive director Adam Pearson revealing last week that the stopper was close to sealing a return to Leeds.
Pearson, speaking last week, said: “The player is really keen to come. So if at the end of the day, if the player is keen to come and the terms are agreed, then the final knockings and thrashings between clubs usually get sorted out.
“Usually what scuppers a deal is an agent or a player and in this case, they are keen to come here.
“We are certainly keen to have him back here, so with that commitment, I would think it will probably happen.”
Leon Wobschall
LEEDS UNITED have completed the signing of centre-half Sol Bamba for an undisclosed fee from Palermo.
The defender, 30, who impressed during a loan spell at Elland Road in the second half of last season, has signed a two-year deal with the option of a third.
Bamba was one year into a three-year contract at Palermo but only made one league appearance since joining from Trabzonspor last August, with his days at the Sicilian outfit being effectively numbered.
The 30-year-old becomes United’s third summer signing following the recent arrivals of goalkeeper Charlie Horton from Cardiff City and striker Lee Erwin from Motherwell.
The former Leicester City centre-half proved an instrumental figure in United’s upturn in the first three months of the new year and produced several outstanding displays.
Bamba made 19 appearances for Leeds in total and despite causing controversy after openly criticising Leeds owner Massimo Cellino towards the end of season for sacking assistant manager Steve Thompson and his treatment of former head coach Neil Redfearn, the club tabled recently tabled a new offer.
This came after reports that Bamba had rejected an offer to make his temporary move permanent. But all parties remained in talks, with executive director Adam Pearson revealing last week that the stopper was close to sealing a return to Leeds.
Pearson, speaking last week, said: “The player is really keen to come. So if at the end of the day, if the player is keen to come and the terms are agreed, then the final knockings and thrashings between clubs usually get sorted out.
“Usually what scuppers a deal is an agent or a player and in this case, they are keen to come here.
“We are certainly keen to have him back here, so with that commitment, I would think it will probably happen.”
