Leeds United have their first signing of the summer - giving the club’s strongest XI and bench a different look to it.
The arrival of Welsh international winger Harry Wilson as a free transfer signing was finally announced on Wednesday afternoon, Wilson having become a free agent this summer as his contract at Fulham expired.
Leeds almost signed Wilson last summer on transfer deadline day only for Fulham to pull the plug on the deal and the winger went on to bag ten goals and seven assists in a stellar campaign individually for his side.
But Leeds now have their man 12 months on as the club’s first arrival of the summer following the exits of defender Pascal Struijk in a £20m move to Brighton and also keeper Illan Meslier and last season’s Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte.
Meslier is now set to move to Arsenal as back up keeper.
At Leeds meanwhile keepers Karl Darlow and Alex Cairns plus right back Sam Byram meanwhile are all now technically speaking free agents upon their deals expiring, Leeds revealing as they issued their retained list that talks were ongoing with all three players.
That leaves their futures uncertain and here we run through our idea of the club’s new strongest XI and bench following the deal for Wilson including a big call with an attacker now moved to the bench.
The goalkeeper situation is very much up in the air as Karl Darlow ended last season as clear first choice keeper but Darlow is now technically a free agent upon his contract expiring, even if Leeds are in talks with him over a new deal. As such, Perri has to be considered no 1 at present.
1. GK: Lucas Perri
The goalkeeper situation is very much up in the air as Karl Darlow ended last season as clear first choice keeper but Darlow is now technically a free agent upon his contract expiring, even if Leeds are in talks with him over a new deal. As such, Perri has to be considered no 1 at present. | AFP via Getty Images
Clear first choice right back although James Justin a strong alternative who can play anywhere across the back line.
2. RB: Jayden Bogle
Clear first choice right back although James Justin a strong alternative who can play anywhere across the back line. | Getty Images
Leeds are now one key centre back down with Struijk going and Rodon is clearly a no-brainer in the seemingly preferred 5-3-2.
3. CB: Joe Rodon
Leeds are now one key centre back down with Struijk going and Rodon is clearly a no-brainer in the seemingly preferred 5-3-2. | Getty Images
A summer 2025 signing who really began to shine in the second half of the season and the giant Slovenian international centre-back appears best in the middle of a three-man centre-back axis.
4. CB: Jaka Bijol
A summer 2025 signing who really began to shine in the second half of the season and the giant Slovenian international centre-back appears best in the middle of a three-man centre-back axis. | Getty Images
Struijk's exit likely paves the way for the very reliable Justin to come into the strongest XI as it stands and indeed he might have been viewed as a starter in any case.
5. CB: James Justin
Struijk's exit likely paves the way for the very reliable Justin to come into the strongest XI as it stands and indeed he might have been viewed as a starter in any case. | Getty Images
The Swede is clear first choice left back and one of four Leeds players who has been representing the club at the World Cup.
6. LB: Gabi Gudmundsson
The Swede is clear first choice left back and one of four Leeds players who has been representing the club at the World Cup. | Getty Images