Leeds United: Manager Monk welcomes three new faces as Elland Road re-building project gathers pace

Oxford United talisman Roofe joins United on a four-year deal after a stellar campaign at the Kassam Stadium. The 23 year-old scored 26 goals in 48 games across all competitions last season as he helped his team to automatic promotion to League One.

The West Bromwich Albion graduate hit the headlines in January as his brace played a part in the 3-2 defeat of Premier League Swansea City in the third round of the FA Cup. He also scored four goals in the Football League Trophy as Oxford reached Wembley, losing 3-2 in the final to Yorkshire outfit Barnsley.

Roofe, who is comfortable out wide or as a striker, has been the talk of constant speculation after being voted the PFA League Two Player of the Year, and Oxford chairman Darryl Eaves was forced to reveal he would not accept any offers below £3m. However, the deal has been undisclosed.

Delighted with his move to Elland RD, Roofe said: “It’s an amazing feeling. I don’t think i’ll actually understand how big the club is until the first game of the season.

“As soon as I found out, I was really pleased to be part of a club like this. The club has a great history and a great future as well. You can tell there’s something exciting happening here with the signings we’re making. I can’t wait to start getting to know the squad and playing football again.”

Grimes, an England Under-21 international, signed a season-long loan deal with United earlier on Thursday morning, hours after the club finalised a one-year deal for ex-England goalkeeper Robert Green.

The three transfers take Leeds’ summer arrivals up to six so far, joining Hadi Sacko, Marcus Antonsson and Kyle Bartley, the latter joining on a similar deal to Grimes’ from Monk’s previous club.

Grimes, 20, joined the Swans from boyhood club Exeter City in a £1,75m deal in January 2015 after being described by former manager Paul Tisdale as “the best young player he had seen in his eight years at the club.”

Making his career debut in August 2013 as an 18 year-old, Grimes scored one goal in 35 games in his debut season. In his second season as a professional he excelled, scoring four times in 23 appearances, before earning a move to the south Wales club and a spot in the League Two PFA Team of the Year, despite only featuring in the division for half a season.

He then went onto make four Premier League appearances under Monk before the manager was replaced by Francesco Guidolin. Struggling to warrant a place in the Italian’s first-team plans, Grimes finished last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, making 13 appearances in The Championship.

Grimes said: “This was a no-brainer for me. It’s such a big club and we’re looking to have a really strong season.

“I’m really excited to come here and play football. That’s the aim for me this season. Coming here gives me a really good chance to do that at a high level.

“Garry and his assistant (Pep Clotet) were really good to me when I was at Swansea. They helped me a lot and nurtured me when I was a young player so it’ll be great to work with them again.”

Similarly to Grimes, incoming ‘keeper Green also praised Monk’s influence on his decision to join Leeds United.

Speaking to the club’s website last night, the ex-QPR shot-stopper said; “I’m thrilled to be here. I’ve spoken to the manager and I know what he’s got in store and what he’s planning.

“What he said really resonated with me and re-affirmed my feelings towards this opportunity. He’s got a young team of players, who, he says with the right guidance, will really flourish.”

The three players will now fly to Ireland where they will join their new teammates at a pre-season training camp.