Leeds United FC completed the signing of Willy Gnonto from FC Zurich on deadline day, after the club had missed out on a deal for Cody Gakpo and Bamba Dieng – and the young Italian attacker took to Instagram on Monday evening.
Gnonto, 18, joins Leeds for a fee of £3.9million plus add-ons – signing a five-year deal. The Italy international has had a hand in 22 goals during 74 games for Zurich since joining the Swiss side from Inter Milan, impressing Roberto Mancini.
Indeed, despite his age and that he is playing in Switzerland, he has been given a chance in the Italy side. Now, Leeds have brought him to the club on a permanent basis, and he will wear the no.29 shirt. He was a third-choice signing.
Victor Orta travelled to Eindhoven last Wednesday, with hope of thrashing out a deal for Cody Gakpo. It failed. Leeds turned to Bamba Dieng, but he turned down a move while at the airport. Gnonto was next on the list for the Whites.
He joins the club after Leeds allowed Wales international Dan James to join newly-promoted side Fulham on loan. Gnonto has taken to Instagram for the first time as a Leeds player, sending a two-word message to Leeds fans.
Leeds signing Gnonto took to Instagram on Monday evening
Does Gnonto come straight into the side? Well, Leeds have Luis Sinisterra bang in form on the right, and Jack Harrison has made an excellent start to the season on the left. Albeit, struggling in the last couple of matches for the Whites.
He has little chance of going straight into the starting XI. Crysencio Summerville is likely to be above him in the pecking order as things stand, too. Especially, after his bright cameo in the 5-2 hammering by Brentford on Saturday.
But Gnonto will certainly be on the bench going forward. It will be interesting to see if Jesse Marsch allows him to play in the Leeds Under-21 side too, given his age. The second string take on West Brom on Friday evening.
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