Leeds United‘s summer transfer window was defined by a defensive overhaul, and while the Whites’ business appeared to be done for the time being, Daniel Farke has been handed a fresh addition working outside the confines of the market.
Farke oversaw a significant remodelling of his goalkeeping department and back line during the summer. James Trafford arrived in a £40m deal from Manchester City, while Michael Zetterer joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for £4.3m, giving Leeds two new options between the sticks.
That overhaul came with departures too, as both Karl Darlow and Lucas Perri left the club, leaving Zetterer to be the deputy behind the former Manchester City star.
It was a similar story in central defence. Tarik Muharemovic joined from Sassuolo in a deal worth around £34m, and he was joined by the vastly experienced Nico Elvedi, capped over 70 times for Switzerland, in an £8.5m move from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Elsewhere, Harry Wilson arrived on a free transfer from Fulham, while Melvin Bard and Jean-Mattéo Bahoya both joined on loan, with the latter arriving on deadline day with an option to buy included in the move.
Leeds agree deal for 16 year-old winger
With the transfer window now shut, most clubs’ business would be considered concluded until January. But Leeds have found a way to add to their ranks regardless, agreeing a deal to sign highly rated youngster Silva Mexes from Manchester United.
The 16-year-old had interest from Leeds dating back to February, but the fact he had not yet signed a professional contract at Old Trafford has allowed them to lock up a two-year scholarship which is not restricted by the usual transfer deadline.
Mexes will link up with Leeds’ Under-18s to begin with, giving the Thailand Under-17 international a fresh start away from Old Trafford. Thorp Arch’s reputation as one of the best academies in English football will have played its part in persuading Mexes to make the move.
|
Leeds academy graduates |
Notable Achievement |
|---|---|
|
Denis Irwin |
7 Premier League titles & 1 Champions League with Man Utd |
|
Gary Speed |
Won 1992 league title with Leeds; later starred for Newcastle |
|
David Seaman |
218 clean sheets & 3 Premier League titles with Arsenal |
|
James Milner |
Multiple major honours across an illustrious career |
|
Jonathan Woodgate |
Moved to Real Madrid, won League Cup with Spurs |
|
Paul Robinson |
88 Premier League clean sheets |
|
David Batty |
3x in the Premier League Team of the Year |
|
Gary Kelly |
One-club man; 52 Republic of Ireland caps |
|
Kalvin Phillips |
Helped Leeds to promotion, moved to Man City |
|
Fabian Delph |
2 Premier League titles with Man City, 20 England caps |
Mexes arrives at Elland Road with an intriguing family footballing pedigree, too. His father is former Wales international Robert Earnshaw, who scored 66 goals in 166 Championship appearances across a career that took in a host of clubs.
Notably for Leeds fans, that career included a spell at Derby County, one of the club’s fiercest rivals, where Earnshaw arrived for a club-record fee in 2007 before later moving on to Nottingham Forest, another side with a long-standing rivalry with Leeds. He also had spells at Cardiff City and West Brom, and won 59 caps for Wales during his playing days.
Having someone with that level of top-flight experience in his corner, even if it comes via a former rival, should be a real asset for Mexes as he begins life at Thorp Arch. It will be up to the youngster himself to make the most of the opportunity, but Leeds will be hopeful they’ve unearthed another gem for their academy pipeline.
