Jamal Blackman has joined Leeds on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
New Leeds United goalkeeper Jamal Blackman has admitted to BBC Radio Leeds that he held talks with Sheffield United and was aware of interest from other clubs before joining Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
The 24-year-old stopper has agreed to join Leeds until the end of the 2018-19 season from Chelsea, becoming the Whites’ second signing – with playmaker Lewis Baker also joining on loan from Chelsea.
Leeds have been after a goalkeeper for much of the summer, but failed to land Angus Gunn who joined Southampton while David Stockdale remains at Birmingham City.
The Whites have now got their man and he will rival Bailey Peacock-Farrell for a place in the first team, though the Yorkshire Evening Post expect him to start. He said that he chose Leeds despite talks with Sheffield United.
“Yeah we had a few other clubs talking about me,” Blackman said. “So it’s quite a big decision from me going forward, with trying to get as close as possible to Chelsea’s first team. Leeds was probably my best option.
“We spoke to Sheffield United, they wanted to evaluate their options. We said it was time to see what happens. Anything can happen in football so you never did know what was going to happen.”
Blackman played for Sheffield United last season on loan, making 33 appearances in which he secured 10 clean sheets for the Blades – conceding just 35 goals.
Bielsa is expected to bring in a handful of players this summer with fans getting restless. The club still require a centre-forward after losing Pierre-Michel Lasogga, while a winger, left-back and a centre-back are also likely to be targeted.
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