Bournemouth midfielder Eunan O’Kane has signed for Leeds United.
Bournemouth’s Eunan O’Kane in action with Everton’s James McCarthy
Leeds United made just the one signing on deadline day, snapping up midfielder Eunan O’Kane from Bournemouth on a two-year deal.
Despite already landing midfielders Liam Bridcutt and Matt Grimes this summer, Garry Monk clearly felt that he still needed another option in the middle of the park, even with youngsters Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips developing.
Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta in action with Bournemouth’s Eunan O’Kane
On Wednesday, Monk swooped to land O’Kane for an undisclosed fee, boosting his options as the deadline passed – but a new striker didn’t arrive at Elland Road.
Midfielder O’Kane, 26, racked up more than 100 appearances for Bournemouth having signed from Torquay United back in 2012, and he turned out for the Cherries in League One, the Championship and the Premier League as he was a mainstay of the club’s rise up the divisions.
Bournemouth’s Eunan O’Kane in action with Manchester City’s Willy Caballero
A Republic of Ireland international with four caps to his name, O’Kane had been pushed down the pecking order at the Vitality Stadium by the signings of former Leeds midfielder Lewis Cook and England international Jack Wilshere, and he’s now heading to Elland Road.
After the deal was confirmed on Wednesday evening, Leeds United fans took to Twitter to react to their latest new signing, with a common theme clear: fans were largely happy to see O’Kane sign, but felt another striker was needed before the deadline passed.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne in action with Bournemouth’s Eunan O’Kane
Bournemouth fans were full of appreciation for O’Kane, thanking him for his service to the club and for playing his part in the club’s meteoric rise to the Premier League, with the Irishman obviously a popular player on the South Coast.
Intriguingly, ex-Leeds hero and O’Kane’s former Bournemouth team-mate Ian Harte also took to Twitter, suggesting that he thinks the midfielder is a ‘very good player’.
Here are some of the reactions from Leeds and Bournemouth fans, as well as former left back Ian Harte…
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