Juventus and Champions League regular Weston McKennie has joined Leeds United, subject to a work permit, in a transfer which caps off a productive January transfer window. After addressing weaknesses at left-back and striker, with Max Wober and Georginio Rutter, the Whites have moved to add a central midfielder to their ranks.
The USA international plugs a gap left by Mateusz Klich, who was released to join D.C. United earlier this month. McKennie has agreed terms on an initial loan deal from the Serie A giants, which could be made permanent in the summer.
Reports in the Italian media suggest Leeds have paid a fraction over £1m to bring the 24-year-old in on loan, with an agreement to pay a further £29m to make it permanent. Add-ons would, reportedly, make it a £35m total package.
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McKennie now links up with compatriots Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson and Jesse Marsch at Elland Road. He has played as a box-to-midfielder or deeper-lying midfielder in his career and should dovetail with Marc Roca and Adams in the centre at Leeds.
After a brief youth career in his homeland, McKennie began his professional life at Schalke in Germany. This is where Victor Orta is understood to have first been attracted to McKennie.
While a transfer did not materialise there, Orta continued to keep an eye on him at Juventus. When it became clear McKennie could be available for a transfer this month, Orta’s admiration, coupled with Marsch’s knowledge and the relationships with Adams and Aaronson, made it a good fit for Leeds.
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