Done Deal: Leeds United ‘agreed a deal’ for ex-Everton, and Leicester City man, As The Star Will Play A vital Role In Championship

July 28, 2023 admin leeds united 0

 

Experienced scout Gary Penrice has reportedly agreed a deal to join Leeds United.

 

 

 

 

 

It was reported earlier this week by Football Insider that the former Celtic man is set to become part of the scouting and

transfer team at Elland Road. There have already been a number of changes off the field at Leeds since relegation to the

Championship was confirmed.

As well as the takeover of the club by 49ers Enterprises being completed, Nick Hammond has joined as an interim football

advisor and Gretar Steinsson has been appointed as technical director.

Penrice is now said to be joining the aforementioned pair in West Yorkshire, bringing with him a wealth of experience in

football. As a player, he represented the likes of Watford and Aston Villa before taking on numerous roles in coaching and

scouting.

A former assistant to Ian Holloway at Bristol Rovers and Queens Park Rangers, Penrice has also worked in scouting and

recruitment at clubs such as Celtic, Everton and Stoke City.

READ MORE:

Leeds: Whites make Mason Holgate approach

Leeds United are interested in signing Everton centre-back on loan Mason Holgate this summer and have made an approach

over a potential deal, according to a new transfer update.

How old is Mason Holgate?

The Englishman, who is now 26 years of age, has been a solid servant for the Blues over an extended period of time now,

having initially broken into the team as a youngster who had arrived from Barnsley in the summer of 2015, making his debut

back in August 2016.

Holgate has now racked up 149 appearances for Everton down the years, scoring and assisting five times apiece in that time,

and proving capable of playing at both centre-back and right-back. He is also a six-time capped England Under-21

international, highlighting how highly thought of he was during his younger days coming through.

The defender found playing time hard to come by at Goodison Park last season, however, with only five Premier

League starts coming his way, and just another three appearances arriving from the substitutes’ bench. Others were clearly

preferred to him at the back and it appears as though Sean Dyche doesn’t see him as a key man moving forward, which could

possibly lead to a move away this summer.

Holgate’s current deal expires in the summer of 2025, and although a permanent move away may not come to fruition so

soon, a temporary exit could be on the cards in the coming weeks.

Could Leeds sign Mason Holgate?

According to Football Insider, Leeds have enquired over the Everton man’s availability on loan this summer, but they aren’t

alone in showing an interest in him. Both Sheffield United and Southampton are also mentioned in the report as potential

clubs he could join, with Dyche informing him that he can move on for the 2023/24 campaign.

With Leeds preparing for life back in the Championship, Holgate could be a really shrewd signing at Elland Road, even if he

isn’t most spectacular of players when it comes to making headlines and producing match-winning performances. He has

plenty of experience at the highest level, however, and is the type of player who could make Whites more resolute at the back

– something that is badly needed after leaking goals at an alarming rate last season.

Holgate has been described as “Mr. Dependable” by journalist Sam Carroll in the past, as well as being hailed as “brilliant”

and “different class” by former England international Peter Crouch. When he did play last season, he did a solid job,

averaging 3.3 clearances and 1.4 tackles per game in the Premier League, and he would surely jump at the opportunity to be

a regular starter at another club, especially considering he is in the peak years of his career.

New Leeds boss Daniel Farke could see the Everton defender as someone who can add more experience and leadership to a

squad alongside someone like Karl Darlow.

The Newcastle goalkeeper is poised to join Leeds for £400,000 and could well take the first-choice spot at Elland Road from

Illan Meslier. Therefore, Holgate could also arrive and help look to spearhead the club’s Championship promotion charge

over the next nine months or so, as they look to return to the top flight in no time at all.

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