Leeds United lure proves decisive for Robert Snodgrass
Published Date:
25 July 2008
By Richard Sutcliffe
LEEDS UNITED last night beat off stiff competition from clubs both north and south of the border to sign Scottish Under-21 international Robert Snodgrass.
The Glasgow-born 20-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Elland Road club and is set to link up with Gary McAllister's squad today on their return from a three-game tour of Ireland.
Snodgrass, who can play up front or on the wing, netted 10 goals for Livingston last term but turned down a new contract that would have doubled his wages with the Scottish club. Leeds have had to pay an undisclosed fee due to the player being under 23.
Dundee, Hamilton and Kilmarnock all made offers for Snodgrass when it became clear he would not be signing a new deal at Almondvale, while Barnsley and Hartlepool United have also been linked with a possible move.
However, the lure of linking up with the fallen Yorkshire club proved decisive in making the player's mind up. Snodgrass said: "There were offers from down south but I really wanted to join Leeds. I want to move to the next level and am looking forward to getting started."
Snodgrass may not be the only new arrival to bolster United's attacking options with Argentinian trialist Luciano Becchio having impressed McAllister on his debut for the club this week.
The former Barcelona and Mallorca striker played in the 1-1 draw with Shelbourne on Wednesday night and will again feature in tomorrow's friendly with Barnet.
The Leeds manager said: "He arrived a few days ago and he had been training on his own. He could be pleased (with how he did against Shelbourne). He did well.
"I thought he showed enough, and we will look forward to seeing him again at Barnet," he said.
One striker who will not be at Elland Road next season is Anthony Elding after he yesterday joined Crewe Alexandra for a fee believed to be in the region of £150,000.
The striker joined Leeds in January from Stockport County but failed to make an impression and was told by McAllister he could leave.
Crewe agreed a fee with United earlier in the summer but Elding turned down the move.
Andrew Hughes and Fabian Delph will return to the squad after missing the trip to Ireland through impending fatherhood and injury respectively.
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Last Updated:
25 July 2008 9:35 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Yorkshire