Leeds United sell-on clause comes good as 'opportunistic' ex-academy star secures Belgian move — YEP 12/7/24

-

By Graham Smyth

Leeds United will earn a sum in the region of £800,000 after one of their former Under 21 players secured a move to Belgian top flight club KAA Gent.

Max Dean’s impressive 18-month stint at MK Dons attracted interest from a number of teams at home and abroad and though it appeared as if Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse would reunite the striker with fellow former Whites academy star Charlie Cresswell, Gent have won the race for his signature. The YEP understands that the Belgian Pro League side bid €2m for the 20-year-old forward and Leeds are thought to have included a 50 per cent sell-on clause in the deal that took Dean to MK Dons in January 2023.

Dean was unable to make a senior breakthrough at Elland Road but made himself a popular figure with fans due to his all-action, combustible playing style and goalscoring exploits. In January 2023 he made a free transfer move to MK Dons to link up with former Leeds coach Mark Jackson. Dean played the majority of last season under Mike Williamson as the Dons made the League Two play-off semi-finals. Dean departs MK Dons with 20 goals from just 43 appearances, with five assists to boot.

MK Dons sporting director Liam Sweeting said the youngster had earned his move abroad: “First and foremost, we are extremely proud of what Max has achieved with us and the opportunity this has created for him as he begins a new chapter in his career. Like many players throughout the club’s history, Max joined us looking to forge a path in the game and the outcome is one for us all to celebrate. Once again, our club has provided a platform, pathway and developmental environment that allowed Max to showcase his qualities - and create great memories for us all in the process. He is the latest example of what players can achieve at MK Dons. Without a doubt, Max shared a special connection with our fan base, and while we made every effort to offer him a new and improved contract and keep him in Milton Keynes, sometimes an opportunity to test yourself playing top-flight football in another country is just too appealing to turn down."

Last season Gent finished the regular Belgian Pro League in seventh spot but won the split-off Conference League section to once again qualify for Europe. Head coach Wouter Vrancken is delighted to bring the youngster on board. “Max has a special profile,” he said. “An opportunistic type with a direct playing style. He radiates a lot of energy, does not hesitate in the box and scores easily with the left or right. It is a good thing that our scouting can also identify these types of players.”

Dean himself added: “I am very happy with this great opportunity and am really looking forward to playing in front of the supporters of KAA Gent. Hopefully we will see each other soon and have great times together. I can't wait to get started."

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun...
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,...
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o...
Read more