Leeds United completed signing number three of the summer on Thursday night with the capture of Joe Rothwell.
Rothwell has joined on a season-long-loan deal from Bournemouth as he follows both Joe Rodon and Alex Cairns in making the switch to Elland Road.
Prior to Rothwell’s arrival, it had been looking like a quiet week on the transfer front at Leeds but his move was rumoured and announced within a matter of hours.
His addition should give Leeds supporters peace of mind that things are going on behind-the-scenes, even when there is complete radio silence.
It became clear in 49ers Enterprises‘ first summer in charge that they like to keep business under wraps, and it looks like it will be the same again.
McCormack gives reaction to Rothwell joining Leeds
Daniel Farke made it clear on numerous occasions last season that his squad was lacking experience and so it is no surprise to see someone like Rothwell come through the door.
Rothwell has just under 200 appearances during his career in the top two divisions of English football and spent the second half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Southampton, so knows what it takes to get promoted.
Not one of Leeds’ midfielders found the net during the 46-game regular season and Rothwell should also help to address that issue somewhat.
He scored four goals in 20 appearances for the Saints, one of which was good enough to win their goal of the season award.
Across his Championship career, Rothwell has 14 goals and 18 assists in 168 matches, which certainly is an upgrade on the goalscoring stats of Leeds’ current midfield options.
Upon announcing his signing across their different social media platforms, former Leeds striker Ross McCormack was among those to give his reaction. It would be fair to say he is happy with the business.
What Rothwell has said after joining Leeds
Rothwell was actually on the bench for Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley against Leeds back in May.
He knows what it takes to get promoted out of this league and his experience should be helpful to what is a very young squad.
And helping Leeds get back to the Premier League is exactly what he intends to do during his loan spell at Elland Road.
He wrote on Instagram: “Absolutely over the moon to get this over the line, Leeds United as a club speaks for itself and needed no words of persuasion to come here. Can’t wait to get started and hopefully get this club back where they belong.
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