Leeds United have finally confirmed the signing of Harry Wilson on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Fulham.
The Wales international has put pen to paper on a four-year deal and joins as one of the club’s highest earners alongside striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Wilson came close to joining Leeds on deadline day last summer, but Fulham pulled out of the deal at the eleventh hour. He went on to enjoy an outstanding campaign at Craven Cottage, further underlining why Leeds were so keen to bring him to Elland Road.
Fulham made a concerted effort to keep him and even offered him a new contract, but Wilson opted for a new challenge instead, bringing an end to his time in west London by joining Daniel Farke’s side.
Harry Wilson reveals the conversation he had with Daniel Farke
It is no secret that Daniel Farke wanted to sign Harry Wilson last summer, and a deal was almost done when Fulham pulled the plug on the move on deadline day.
The Welshman revealed that Farke told him he tried to sign the winger at a couple of previous clubs as well and conceded that it’s special when a manager wants him so badly.
He is looking forward to proving the Leeds manager right when he starts working with him daily and is hopeful that they can achieve good things together at Elland Road.
Wilson told The Athletic: “Speaking with the manager here, he’s told me I’m a player he’s watched for years and tried to get me at a couple of clubs in the past and obviously last summer as well.
“To have a manager, when he isn’t your manager, who watches you from the outside, that’s important.
“I hope when I start to work with him on a day-to-day basis, I can show him what he’s seen from afar is true, and hopefully we can do good things together.”
It’s clear why Farke wanted to sign him
One of Leeds United’s biggest frustrations last season was their lack of quality in the final third. Getting into dangerous positions was rarely the problem, but turning those situations into goals often proved beyond them.
Daniel Farke built a side that was organised, hard-working and difficult to beat. Leeds were a real threat on the counter-attack, but when teams sat deep and forced them to dominate possession, they frequently lacked the creativity and composure needed to break them down.
That is exactly why Harry Wilson became such a priority for Leeds this summer.
The Wales international brings something Farke’s squad has been missing. Leeds already have plenty of players who can run, press and win the ball back, but they have lacked someone capable of producing the decisive pass, unlocking packed defences and consistently contributing goals.
Wilson has shown he can do all of that. His return of 11 goals and eight assists for Fulham last season was outstanding, particularly in a side that struggled for consistency, and it underlines why Leeds believe he can make an immediate impact in the Premier League.
His versatility is another major reason Farke pushed so hard to sign him. Comfortable on either wing, as a No. 10 or in a more advanced midfield role, Wilson gives Leeds far greater tactical flexibility while adding the creativity and end product they so often lacked last season.
Fantastic signing … imo.