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Wilfried Gnonto arrives at Thorp Arch after signing for Leeds United on deadline day
Wilfried Gnonto has touched down in the UK after signing for Leeds United from FC Zurich on transfer deadline day in a deal starting at £3.8million.
Leeds made a late move for the 18-year-old on Thursday (1 September) after missing out on more experienced options in Bamba Dieng and Cody Gakpo.
Gnonto, who is the youngest ever goalscorer for Italy’s national team, has now been unveiled at Leeds’ Thorp Arch training ground, as shown on Twitter on Friday (2 September), and he’ll wear the number 29 shirt for the Whites this season.
For the senior side?
It’s understandable for Leeds fans to be disappointed by Gnonto’s arrival.
That won’t be because the former Inter Milan starlet isn’t a good player but because they looked at far more proven forwards before turning attention to landing a deal with FC Zurich.
Leeds manager Jesse Marsch was asked about Gnonto at a press conference on 19 August and while he confirmed he was interested in the teenage forward, he added that he didn’t believe the Italian was ready for Premier League football [LeedsLive].
However, things have clearly changed since then and Gnonto now looks primed for a senior role at Elland Road with Daniel James leaving on deadline day to join Fulham on loan.
Leeds haven’t paid much for Gnonto.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Leeds are paying an up-front fee worth £3.8million plus add-ons and a sell-on clause has also been included that will benefit Swiss champions Zurich in the future.
It remains to be seen how things pan out for Gnonto in Yorkshire.
However, having Italy’s youngest-ever goalscorer in your side isn’t a bad thing and if anything, the chance of turning a profit on the teenager makes this a deal worth doing from Leeds’ point of view.
In other Leeds United news, Crysencio Summerville can follow the Phil Foden route to being a success at Leeds.