Leeds United sign Alan Tate and Jermone Thomas on loan

30-year-old Tate joined up with his new teammates today (Nov 22) to train for the first time in readiness for Saturday’s Elland Road clash with Crystal Palace.

He joins the club having made a handful of Premier League appearances this season.

Tate was a trainee at Manchester United and spent a short spell on loan at Royal Antwerp, but he went on to have two loan spells with Swansea before joining the club permanently in February 2004.

He cut his footballing teeth in Belgium, making 17 appearances, but after failing to figure at Old Trafford he headed to South Wales where he has clocked up 325 appearances for the Swans.

Neil Warnock told the club website: “He is a lad who I’ve always enjoyed playing against. He is a leader and I felt these last few weeks we’ve lacked leaders. It’s great to have him in.

“We’re short on bodies in there, Jason is suspended, so he’ll play on Saturday.”

He added: “He’s got a great attitude, it’s a super club for him.”

Leeds have also signed West Brom midfielder Jerome Thomas on loan until January.

The 29-year-old former Arsenal trainee has made over 200 career appearances for QPR, Charlton, Portsmouth, and the Baggies.

Thomas, who is also eligible for the Capital One Cup clash with Chelsea next month, joined West Brom in the summer of 2008 and has scored 13 goals in 94 appearances, playing a part in extending the Baggies tenure the top-flight.

United manager Neil Warnock was delighted to capture a player who has been a long-time target.

He told the club website: “He’s a player I’ve tried to sign five times so it’s about time I finally got him. He is just what I’m looking for and I want him to come here and enjoy himself.

“He’s direct and positive when he’s attacking and fits the bill as just what we want.”

He will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s Elland Road clash with Crystal Palace. p}