Leeds United announce £...as ex-Manchester...

Leeds United announce £…as ex-Manchester United youngster… Read More

Leeds United have secured the signing of forward Largie Ramazani from Spanish club Almeria in a £10 million deal. The 23-year-old Belgian will join Daniel Farke’s squad as they aim for promotion to the Premier League. Ramazani’s arrival comes in response to a series of key departures at Elland Road, most notably Georginio Rutter’s recent transfer to Brighton, which followed the exits of Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray earlier in the transfer window.

Ramazani’s football journey began in England when he arrived at the age of 12 and joined Charlton Athletic’s youth system. From there, he moved to Manchester United’s academy, where he continued to develop before leaving Old Trafford four years ago for a new chapter in Spain with Almeria. During his time at Almeria, Ramazani made a notable impact, scoring 22 goals for the Spanish club. Now, he returns to England to become a part of Leeds United’s push for promotion.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke had been eager to strengthen his attacking options following the departures of Rutter and Summerville. He sees Ramazani as a key addition who can fill the gap left by these high-profile exits. While the Whites still have players like Willy Gnonto and Daniel James who can operate on the wings, finding a replacement for Rutter’s role as a No. 10 remains a challenge for Farke. Rutter, known for his creative play and versatility, will be missed in Leeds’ attacking setup.

Ramazani is expected to be a more direct replacement for Summerville, who joined West Ham earlier in the transfer window. The Belgian forward brings versatility to the team, as he can play on either wing or in a central attacking role, but he is most comfortable as a left-sided forward. His ability to adapt across multiple attacking positions will be a valuable asset for Leeds as they navigate a long and competitive season in the Championship.

Daniel Farke addressed the club’s transfer situation in a recent press conference, acknowledging the need for reinforcements but expressing confidence in the club’s plans. “We have to rebuild right now, but I trust our owners and board to come through with good decisions. I am optimistic and confident, but nobody wants to hear that right now—it’s time to do some business,” Farke said.

The Leeds manager emphasized the youthfulness of the current squad, highlighting the need for experienced players to guide the team through the challenges of the season. “We have a very young group and one of the smallest numbers in the whole league,” Farke noted. “We have 19 first-team players, but some have played not many games. You can’t expect the young players to do things regularly.”

He pointed to the example of Archie Gray, a standout young talent who left the club earlier in the window. “Archie Gray did that last year but is a once-in-30-years type player,” Farke remarked, underlining the rarity of such exceptional young talent. Despite the focus on youth, Farke is grateful for the experienced players in the squad, such as Patrick Bamford and Joe Rothwell, who provide crucial leadership on and off the pitch.

However, Farke reiterated the need for additional signings to bolster the squad’s quality, personality, and experience. The departures of key players like Rutter and Summerville have left gaps that need to be filled if Leeds are to maintain their promotion ambitions. The arrival of Ramazani is a positive step in this direction, but more work is needed in the transfer market to ensure the team is well-equipped for the challenges ahead.

As Leeds United continue to navigate a busy transfer window, Farke’s focus will be on integrating new signings like Ramazani into the squad while preparing for the rigors of the Championship. The club’s supporters will be hoping that the new additions can help the team bounce back from recent setbacks and secure a return to the Premier League.