Leeds sign trio as Warnock finally lands target Varney

The United manager has now made seven signings this summer but wants another five to join the Elland Road squad revamp before the new season kicks off.

Portsmouth striker Varney was in Leeds yesterday undergoing a medical after a £300,000 deal was agreed, while Gray, released by Barnsley last month, and former Fratton Park goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown both played in last night’s friendly match against Tavistock.

Gray has signed a one-year deal, while Ashdown is understood to have accepted a two-year contract after impressing Warnock in training.

The capture of Varney on a two-year deal ends a long chase for the United manager who identified the striker, who can also play out wide, as a useful addition during the final few weeks of the last campaign.

Pompey are desperate to get all their senior players off the wage bill in order to stave off financial meltdown and Varney, in common with all the senior players at the south coast club, was left behind when Michael Appleton flew his squad out to Spain for a pre-season tour.

The 29-year-old, who left Derby County in a £750,000 deal a year ago, had two years remaining on his contract with the League One outfit.

His sale to Leeds, however, will not raise any funds for Portsmouth with the fee instead being handed over to the Rams to settle a debt relating to last year’s transfer.

Leeds have agreed a fee with SK Brann to sign Jamaican international, Rodolph Austin, according to the midfielder’s Norwegian club.

The 27-year-old will now discuss personal terms with the Yorkshire club before an application for a work permit, which is expected to take a week, can be made.

Meanwhile, Liverpool winger Toni Silva is on the verge of agreeing a free transfer switch to Barnsley.

Keith Hill has pulled off something of a coup in bringing the highly-rated teenager to Oakwell on a two-year contract, subject to the player passing a medical.

The Reds manager said: “He is quick with and without the ball. He is young and enthusiastic. There is a lot of development we have got to put into him to make him a £3m player and I believe we will be able to do that.”

Silva becomes Barnsley’s fifth signing of the summer, joining Jacob Mellis, Ben Alnwick, Kelvin Etuhu and Mido in moving to South Yorkshire.

He played for Benfica as a youth player before being snapped up by Liverpool in 2009. Silva spent time on loan at Northampton Town last term.

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