Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow joins Leeds United

Leeds United have made their second senior signing of the summer as Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow joins the Whites on a three year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Darlow began his career at Nottingham Forest as an academy product, and joined former club Newcastle in 2014 after a series of loans.

The 32-year-old made a total of 100 appearances across all competitions for the Magpies, yet has drawn attention in more recent times for the quality of his performances in the Championship for Hull City – where he spent the second half of last season on loan.

Darlow conceded 14 times in 12 matches played for the Tigers, keeping 5 clean sheets in the process.

The English keeper follows Ethan Ampadu to Elland Road, with the Welsh international signing for Leeds from Chelsea for a £7m fee last week.

A club statement confirming the signing read: “Leeds United are delighted to announce the signing of Karl Darlow from Newcastle United.

“The goalkeeper arrives at Elland Road in a permanent deal, joining the Whites for an undisclosed fee.

“The experienced 32-year-old shot-stopper has penned a three-year deal with the club, running until the summer of 2026.”

Despite watching their side register an impressive 2-0 win against top-flight outfit Nottingham Forest in a pre-season friendly on Thursday, the Elland Road faithful will hope that Darlow will be the second of many signings made by Daniel Farke before the transfer window closes.

Last 48 hours: Leeds & 49ers move for “clinical” in-demand Rodrigo replacement

Leeds: Whites plotting swoop for Joel Piroe

The Swansea City forward has been highlighted as a potential summer target by the hierarchy at Elland Road.

Leeds United are plotting a summer swoop to sign Swansea City striker Joel Piroe, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

Is Joel Piroe leaving Swansea City?

Since arriving at the Swansea.com Stadium from PSV Eindhoven back in 2021, Piroe has become an integral member and a regular feature of Michael Duff’s side, having started 43 games out of 46 last season in the Championship, and it’s fair to say he’s been a standout star across the border.

The Dutchman firmly established himself as the Welsh outfit’s top-performing offensive player and second overall with a WhoScored match rating of 6.93 during the previous campaign, and following the course of his impressive displays, he’s alerted the attention of Daniel Farke and the 49ers in West Yorkshire, but not for the first time.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay reported earlier this month that the Whites had “targeted” the 23-year-old at the end of last summer’s transfer window, but with a deal having failed to materialise at the time, it sounds as if they are ready to take a second bite at the cherry – and there’s no better time to do so than now.

That’s because the Swans’ talisman will be out of contract in less than a year, meaning that the ongoing window will be his club’s final opportunity to cash in should they not want to risk losing him for free, so there’s a chance that he could be available for a cut-price – something which Leeds chiefs, amongst others, are looking to capitalise on.

Are Leeds signing Joel Piroe?

According to Football Insider, Leeds, Leicester City and Southampton are “set to battle” it out to secure the services of Piroe ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Elland Road outfit “want someone in his mould” and have therefore identified him as an ideal target, whilst Russell Martin is “keen to reunite” with his former attacker at the St Mary’s Stadium. Elsewhere, the Foxes are also “keeping tabs” amid growing interest in duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka.

Who could Joel Piroe replace in LS11?

Leeds recently lost Rodrigo to Qatari side Al-Rayyan SC, so Farke will need to enter the market to find a suitable replacement in that centre-forward role, and having been hailed a “clinical” finisher by journalist Josh Bunting, Piroe could be the perfect candidate.

Swansea’s £11k-per-week earner posted 21 goal contributions (19 goals and two assists) in 43 second-tier appearances last season, whilst getting 140 shots away – more than any other of his fellow teammates, via FBRef. This prolific form in the final third saw him named as the best player of the match by WhoScored on five occasions.

Should he put pen to paper, Piroe would also provide excellent versatility for the boss having been deployed in five different positions since the start of his career, including across the frontline and even in attacking midfield, so should the opportunity to sign him present itself in the final weeks of the window, this is a no-brainer of a decision for the Whites board to make.