Pundit Kevin Kilbane offers his view on Eunan O’Kane’s deadline day move to Leeds United

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Leeds snapped up Eunan O’Kane from Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Eunan O’Kane in action with Everton’s James McCarthy

Pundit Kevin Kilbane has told Irish radio station Newstalk that he has been impressed with new Leeds United signing Eunan O’Kane.

With Toumani Diagouraga and Luke Murphy clear out of favour under Garry Monk, Leeds needed to bring in another midfielder to compete with the likes of Liam Bridcutt, Alex Mowatt, Ronaldo Vieira and Matt Grimes.

Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta in action with Bournemouth’s Eunan O’Kane

With the deadline drawing ever closer, Leeds had time to make one more deal before the transfer window shut, snapping up Eunan O’Kane from Premier League side Bournemouth.

O’Kane, 26, was a key part of the Bournemouth side which rose from League One to the Premier League, making over 100 appearances for the Cherries since his 2012 move from Torquay United.

Bournemouth’s Eunan O’Kane in action with Manchester City’s Willy Caballero

However, with Jack Wilshere and former Leeds midfielder Lewis Cook arriving at the Vitality Stadium, O’Kane dropped down the pecking order under Eddie Howe.

He’s now a part of Garry Monk’s side at Elland Road having penned a two-year deal with Leeds on deadline day, and he’ll certainly be hoping to further his international career whilst with the Whites.

Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne in action with Bournemouth’s Eunan O’Kane

Despite being born in Northern Ireland, O’Kane switched allegiance to the Republic of Ireland in 2011, and now has four caps for Martin O’Neill’s side, but missed out on a place in their Euro 2016 squad.

Now, former Republic of Ireland international and current pundit Kevin Kilbane has offered his opinion on O’Kane’s move, telling Irish radio station Newstalk that he has been impressed whenever he has seen the midfielder in action, and hopes the player receives plenty of playing time with Leeds.

“It’s great for him,” said Kilbane. “I’ve actually been impressed with Eunan O’Kane when I’ve seen him. I think he’s done well at Bournemouth, and I think he did well in the friendly games prior to the Euros – the Euros just came a little bit too early for him so he couldn’t really establish himself. Hopefully he gets a lot of game time at Leeds,” he added.

Do you think O’Kane is a good signing for Leeds?