Leeds United have announced the signing of Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.
McKennie initially joins the Whites on loan, with the Yorkshire club having the option to buy the American permanently in the summer.
Leeds’ interest in the 24-year-old has been the topic of countless headlines recently, yet it will still be reassuring for the club to get the deal over the line.
Reported interest in McKennie began emerging last week as Leeds began looking for options to bolster a midfield which was depleted by the departure of Mateusz Klich earlier this month.
McKennie’s move to Elland Road will see him linking up with USMNT teammates Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams, as well as American head coach Jesse Marsch.
McKennie has made 21 appearances in all competitions for Serie A giants Juventus so far this season, scoring three goals and assisting two. He is a player noted for his versatility, featuring most commonly as a central midfielder but also being able to operate on the right or left sides of the pitch.
He becomes Leeds’ third signing so far in a busy January transfer window after the arrival of defender Max Wober from RB Salzburg and forward Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim.
Great bit of business
What a window it has been for Leeds so far.
Not only have they strengthened in the necessary areas this window in bringing in Wober and Rutter, but they have also seen to it that club stalwart Klich has been replaced by another player of considerable quality in acquiring McKennie.
The addition of the American, who operates as a box-to-box midfielder by all accounts, should provide that link between defence and attack which Leeds have been lacking this season.
It is now up to McKennie himself to prove to Leeds supporters that he is worthy of the hype that the transfer speculation surrounding him has generated.
