Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt has backed Italian international Wilfried Gnonto to do ‘very well’ at Elland Road after completing his transfer from FC Zurich on transfer deadline day.
Gnonto arrived in the final hours of the summer transfer window after Leeds failed to secure the signatures of PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo and Marseille striker Bamba Dieng.
The 18-year-old has trained with Leeds over the last two days and Gelhardt has been impressed by the early signs shown by his new teammate.
“He trained the last two days,” Gelhardt confirmed in an interview with BBC West Yorkshire.
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Gelhardt added: “He’s very sharp, very fast. I think he plays as a winger, anywhere across the front four really. He’s a lovely lad and I am sure he will do well.”
Gnonto became the youngest goal scorer ever for the Italian national team courtesy of his inaugural international goal in June’s 5-2 defeat against Germany in the UEFA Nations League.
He spent seven years in the youth ranks at Inter Milan before starting his senior career in Switzerland at Zurich. Gnonto scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 36 outings in all competitions to help Zurich lift the Swiss Super League last term.
Italy boss Roberto Mancini has been impressed by how advanced Gnonto is for his age and the young attacker is likely to provide strong competition across the attacking line.
Gelhardt has featured in all but one of Leeds’ six games in the Premier League so far and made his first league start of the campaign in Saturday’s 5-2 defeat at Brentford.
The 20-year-old has played more frequently since the turn of the year but says the arrival of Gnonto will keep everyone, including himself, on their toes.
“It’s healthy competition, obviously everyone wants to play. But off the pitch we’re all friends so it’s nothing personal,” Gelhardt said.
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