Leeds United swoop as Kasper gets dad's support

The 23-year-old yesterday signed a two-year deal at Elland Road after United beat off competition from a host of Premier League and Championship clubs.

Schmeichel was available on a free transfer after agreeing to terminate his existing contract at Notts County earlier this month.

He had been the first big name signing of the ill-fated Sven Goran Eriksson era at Meadow Lane when snapped up for around 1m from Manchester City in August last year.

It is understood his release was due to the Magpies, who parted company with Eriksson in February amid owners Munto Finance pulling out of the club, being unable to afford his reputed wages of 14,500 per week, a sum that was due to increase across the remaining four years of his contract.

Since the end of the campaign, Schmeichel's future had been the subject of intense speculation with Birmingham City, Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers being linked with a possible move.

However, after mulling the options over with his famous father Peter, he opted for West Yorkshire and the Championship.

United's new goalkeeper said: "My dad comes and watches when he can. As soon as Leeds came in, he asked me what I wanted to do and he said 'I couldn't agree more'.

"He said it was the best club to be at now. I had been talking to a lot of clubs. There were a lot of other opportunities but Leeds has everything.

"I have grown up in England, know a lot about English football and I know Leeds are one of the biggest clubs in the country. It is a massive club with a massive fan base.

"There have been quite a few Scandinavian players here. Alfie Haaland, Eirik Bakke and Casper (Ankergren) last season, so there will be plenty of interest from Denmark, Norway and Sweden."

Schmeichel, League Two Player of the Year in 2009-10, arrives at Elland Road just a few weeks after fellow countryman Ankergren was released on a free transfer by manager Simon Grayson.

The new signing moved to Meadow Lane last summer and was an integral part of the success enjoyed by promoted Notts County.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Schmeichel kept 24 clean sheets in 49 league and cup appearances, and admits the experience of winning honours has left him hungry for more.

He said: "Once you have won a trophy, you want to do it again. I can't wait to get started at Leeds.

"I hope that we will do really well and get promoted but the Championship is a weird and different league.

"Look at Blackpool last season, they came from nowhere and got promoted.

"I hope we start well and get some momentum going. I spoke to the manager here and he told me about how the club worked and that appealed to me.

"There wasn't a lot of decision- making to do. The infrastructure is here.

"Look at the training ground, the fanbase and the players. Everything is in place.

"There is a great manager here and I cannot wait to get started."

Schmeichel's five-year contract at Meadow Lane was officially cancelled on May 11, after County's new chairman Ray Trew admitted holding out for a possible transfer fee was "too big a risk for the football club".

The Magpies chief added: "If we were not able to sell him, the value of his contract over the next four years was such that it could have had severe financial implications on Notts County's future.

"Kasper has agreed to forgo all his future wages, which is a huge concession by such a young man."

Notts County chief executive Jim Rodwell was also quick to place on record the club's thanks to Schmeichel.

He said: "Kasper has performed brilliantly for the club all season, and throughout all of the problems behind the scenes he has remained a consummate professional.

"We would have loved to have kept Kasper at the club but financially that just wasn't possible."

Looking ahead to his new life at Elland Road, Schmeichel said: "I followed Leeds quite a bit last season with Casper Ankergren being here.

"I know how they played and it will be really good.

"I thought they would have it wrapped up earlier but that is the way it goes in football sometimes."

Meanwhile, Leeds have confirmed details of three overseas friendlies in pre-season.

Grayson's men will travel to Slovakia to face MFK Ruzomberok on July 13 and MFK Kosice three days later.

Leeds will then visit Lyn Oslo, who they last met in the 1969 European Cup when the Yorkshire side won 16-0 over two legs, on July 27.

Kasper Schmeichel factfile

Born: November 5, 1986, Copenhagen.

Clubs: Manchester City (2003-2009), Darlington (2006, loan), Bury (2006, loan), Falkirk (2007, loan), Cardiff City (2007-08, loan), Coventry City (2008, loan), Notts County.

Honours: League Two champions 2009-10, League Two Player of the Year 2009-10. Denmark Under-21.

Total club appearances: 133.