The South Australia captain scored 145 off 167 to move his team within sight of a famous win, but they eventually fell 17 runs short of chasing down 331
ESPNcricinfo staff08-Mar-2018Getty Images
Tasmania vaulted to second on the Sheffield Shield table after surviving an extraordinary final-day century from Travis Head to beat South Australia in a nail-biter in Hobart.The Redbacks began the day needing 283 to win with nine wickets in hand. They quickly slumped to 4 for 69 after Andrew Fekete and Sam Rainbird claimed Callum Ferguson, Jake Weatherald and Jake Lehmann in the space of 13 balls.But Head started his assault on the bowling with the aid of Tom Cooper. The pair combined for a 115-run stand to which Cooper only contributed 38. Despite wickets continuing to tumble, Head kept the scoreboard motoring.Joe Mennie (29) and Nick Winter (25) were valuable allies for Head who charged to 145, with 23 fours and a six, and moved South Australia within sight of a famous victory.But with just 19 required, the second new ball did the trick. Rainbird coaxed an outside edge from Head that was easily held at second slip. Winter was bowled by Jackson Bird three overs later to give the Tigers victory. Bird claimed four of the last six wickets.
Matthew Wade scored his second consecutive century and strung a 152-run partnership with Ben McDermott as Tasmania and New South Wales shared a point each at the SCG
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Feb-2018 ScorecardNew South Wales and Tasmania shared a point each in a rain-affected draw but not before Matthew Wade scored his second consecutive century on the final day at the SCG.The Tigers started the day 209 runs behind on the first innings and both sides would have needed to make bold declarations in order to set up a result.Jake Doran fell agonisingly short of a hundred, caught behind off Steve O’Keefe for 97. Beau Webster’s 354-ball epic ended when he fell to Gurinder Sandhu. The big quick had reverted to bowling off spin and had Webster caught at leg slip for 136.Wade and Ben McDermott then put together an unbroken 152-run partnership in just 34.1 overs. Wade reached his hundred with a six off the part-time offerings of Nic Maddinson. McDermott cruised to 75 not out before the game ended with Tasmania’s declaration. Webster was named man of the match.The result means both sides remain in the hunt for a berth in the final with two rounds remaining.
The Australia U-19 captain played a bit of basketball and soccer in school and college, and was only convinced of cricket as a career option when he made it to the Australia Under-16 side five seasons ago
Shashank Kishore in Tauranga13-Jan-2018As Australia arrive at training ahead of their Under-19 World Cup opener against India in Mount Maunganui, a familiar stance, backlift and fidgety movements catch the eye as one gazes towards the dressing room. Jason Sangha is being filmed as he imitates Steven Smith. “Not as good as Maxi, but I’m getting there,” he laughs. Then he goes on to twirl his bat and play that whip off his hip.Back at the Australia nets, there’s energy bursting at the seams. The Under-19 group is set to play together for the first time in over two months. The entire squad, barring Will Sutherland, who missed the domestic Under-19 championships in Hobart, was rested for the bilateral series against Pakistan last month to gear up for the tournament. But Sangha couldn’t get cricket out of his mind. A couple of times, he was spotted on the road imitating a bowling action or practising a cover drive. “So much, excitement,” he says. “Indian roots. How could I not be mad about cricket?”As a 16-year old, Sangha was picked to play for Australia at the previous Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, but the team pulled out because of security concerns. Now, he’s been given the additional responsibility of also being captain.
Most of the guys were quite emotional about it, they knew how much it meant to actually not play that World Cup. From there, I had the extra desire and hunger to be a part of this World CupJason Sangha on missing out on the 2016 edition due to security reasons
“For a young guy, it was a new experience. It was the first major thing I’d accomplished in my cricket career, something I’ve cherished since. For me, it was difficult. I would’ve loved to be in Bangladesh, but I knew I had another World Cup coming up,” Sangha says of the disappointment from 2016. “Most of the guys were quite emotional about it, they knew how much it meant to actually not play that World Cup. From there, I had the extra desire and hunger to be a part of this World Cup.”Sangha has already led Australia Under-19s in a bilateral series against Sri Lanka at home in April. He made news in November when he became the youngest first-class centurion in the country since Ricky Ponting in 1992-93. It was a pre-Ashes warm-up fixture and Sangha was facing an attack that included Chris Woakes, Craig Overton and Moeen Ali. He held firm to bring up a superb century, one he says gave him oodles of belief.”It was still quite a competitive game, they wanted to win but so did we,” he says. “It was a great experience. You don’t really get to play those oppositions that often. Especially as a young kid it’s awesome to get the opportunity to play against an international attack. To get that hundred against England absolutely meant the world to me, a lot of preparation went into that. I’m just glad it happened.”His form leading into the game helped too. Playing for the Randwick Petersham Cricket Club in Sydney, which gave David Warner and Usman Khawaja to Australia, he smashed two big hundreds in the New South Wales Premier Cup. He looks back on these knocks fondly and though he is happy with where his game is at, he is eager for more success.”For me, I don’t feel I’m there in cricket yet,” he says when asked about having to choose between cricket and university. “Obviously signing with the New South Wales and Sydney Thunder is good, but I always think I can always get better. So I feel I still haven’t quite made it yet into where I want to be in cricket. The Under-19 World Cup is obviously a massive pathway for me to showcase my skills for the future.”Jason Sangha celebrates his century•AFPSangha loved netting three-pointers and slam dunks as he grew up. He also played a bit of soccer, but was only convinced of cricket as a career option when he made it to the Australia Under-16 side five seasons ago. “That was probably my first major milestone and that’s when I thought I’ll try and pursue cricket a fair bit,” he says. “The best thing about Australia is that there are so many different sports that we play.”I’m one to always love playing not just cricket, but also basketball, baseball and soccer. Those sports are some which everyone in Australia love. You see someone like Will Sutherland, he was pretty much giving it in his AFL career and ended up choosing the right one, which is cricket. So it’s good for us. That’s the best thing about our team as well, we have guys who not just love cricket but also other sports as well. We’re lucky to be in a country like Australia, where you can pursue a career in whichever direction you want to go.”Sangha and co have come through the system that has carefully been streamlined by Greg Chappell, who heads Cricket Australia’s national talent management wing, and are now under the care of two players who were, only four years ago, celebrating a 5-0 Ashes triumph.”We have someone like Ryan Harris [head coach] and Chris Rogers [batting coach] who just came out of the Australian system and they know what it’s like to be an Australian cricketer, the messages they have been taking from the actual Australian team, they’ve tried to implement here,” Sangha says. “In these competitions sometimes you can get too confused. When you’re in high pressure moments, you need to have a bit of clarity. In those high pressure moments, need to be a bit relaxed and have a simple mindset. That’s where they have helped.”Australia’s route to the Under-19 World Cup has taken shape over a two-year period in which the selectors have persisted with a core group that they identified at Under-15 level. “It hasn’t been a six-month planning. It’s honestly been for about two-three years, knowing this batch of age-group cricketers was going to be ready for the World Cup in 2018,” Sangha says. “It started with the Under-15s tournament. It’s been about consistent training, having a squad going to the NCC up in Brisbane and train there during the winters and the season. It’s honestly been a long process, but I believe this is the best squad we’ve got and I’m confident we can go all the way.”
Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers has been able to snap up six new signings to bolster his playing squad during the summer transfer window so far…
Who have Celtic signed this summer?
Swedish centre-back Gustaf Lagerbielke was the most recent addition to the team to improve their options at the back, whilst Maik Nawrocki has also been brought in to compete for a position in the defence.
Midfielders Hyun-jun Yang, Marco Tilio, Odin Thiago Holm, and Hyeok-kyo Kwon have also been signed to add quality and depth to the central and wide areas.
The window slams shut next week and the Hoops appear to have more business to do before the deadline passes as they were recently linked with an interest in Brondby star Mathias Kvistgaarden, who could cost them a fee within the region of £4m.
How good is Mathias Kvistgaarden?
If the 21-year-old whiz can translate his form in Denmark over to Scotland then he could be a fantastic player for Rodgers and a big upgrade on Hyeon-gyu Oh, who is the current understudy to Kyogo Furuhashi.
The Brondby dynamo has racked up seven goals and six assists in 14 matches since the start of the Superligaen Championship round at the backend of the 2022/23 campaign.
This season, the talented youngster has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.28 as he has contributed with one goal and four 'big chances' created in five appearances. This came after Kvistgaarden scored seven goals and created seven 'big chances' in 15 league starts last term.
Celtic striker Hyeon-gyu Oh.
Oh, on the other hand, has scored seven goals in 21 appearances for Celtic since his move to the club from Suwon Bluewings, where he had scored 14 goals in 53 matches, during the January window.
The South Korean forward averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.81 as he scored six goals and created one 'big chance' for his teammates in 16 Scottish Premiership outings during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, which shows that the 22-year-old attacker is not as creative as the £4m-rated ace.
This came after a return of 14 goals and two 'big chances' created in 38 K League 1 matches throughout 2022 for the Bluewings, which earned him an average Sofascore rating of 6.95.
Kvistgaarden, who talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed last month is in "crazy form", could come in as an upgrade on Oh if he is able to replicate his recent performances for Brondby in Scotland due to his average performance level, his goalscoring quality, and
His current average Sofascore rating of 7.28 would have placed him third within the Celtic squad last term, which illustrates how impressive his displays for the Danish side have been.
The 21-year-old striker also produced a phenomenal 31 goals and 11 assists in 45 U19 matches for Brondby and, therefore, has the potential to be a prolific scorer to go along with his creativity from a no.9 position.
Kyogo (27) is the only current Celtic player who scored more than ten Premiership goals last season and Kvistgaarden's statistics suggest that he has the ability to provide Rodgers with another reliable scoring option whilst also being an upgrade on Oh at the top end of the pitch.
Glasgow Rangers have recently completed their eighth summer signing of the transfer window, managing to lure striker Danilo from Dutch side Feyenoord.
Could signing number nine be just around the corner however? As Michael Beale is looking to further bolster his first team squad ahead of the 2023/24 Premiership campaign.
Are Rangers close to signing Jose Cifuentes?
Fan media outlet Four Lads Had a Dream offered an update on the player, tweeting: “Jose Cifuentes will arrive in Glasgow this midweek, as per multiple previous reports.
Read the latest Rangers transfer news HERE…
“Everything is agreed and in place to join immediately.
“It’s been a long protracted deal but management are excited about this.”
It appears as though signing number nine is basically a done deal and with the Champions League qualifiers just around the corner, it could be a wise move for Beale to bring in the Ecuadorian this summer as supposed to January 2024, when his Los Angeles FC contract expires.
How good is Jose Cifuentes?
The midfielder enjoyed a productive 2022 MLS season for LAFC, ranking second in the squad for big chances created (11), while also ranking third for successful dribbles (1.5) and tackles (1.8) per game, suggesting that he could offer both attacking and defensive qualities to the Rangers midfield.
With Glen Kamara looking likely to leave this summer and Ryan Jack out of contract at the end of the season, Cifuentes could form a solid partnership with Nicolas Raskin in the heart of the midfield.
Could Beale perhaps have a dream future partner for the talented 24-year-old however? As Cole McKinnon shone for Partick Thistle whilst on loan last term.
Who is Cole McKinnon?
The 20-year-old has already made his senior debut for the Ibrox side, featuring against Hearts on the final day of the 2021/22 campaign, even managing to score a goal, giving the supporters a glimpse of his vast talents.
Following that impressive cameo, he joined Partick on a season long loan deal and journalist Jordan Campbell praised him, saying: “Understand Rangers midfielder Cole McKinnon, who signed a new three-year deal yesterday, is expected to join Partick Thistle on loan.
“The 19-year-old is highly rated at Ibrox and scored in the final league game of last season. Goes box-to-box and has a knack of getting a goal.”
Ecuador midfielderJose Cifuentes.
The youngster certainly took his chance during his stint in the Championship, featuring 31 times across all competitions and even registering six goal contributions – three goals and three assists – which is a solid return from the centre of midfield.
McKinnon looks like he could add a reliable goal threat from the midfield and would compliment Cifutenes well, who has displayed a tenacious nature during his spell at LAFC and enjoys winning the physical battles in the middle of the pitch.
The Gers prodigy has also been capped for the Scotland U21 side, making two appearances and the future is clearly bright for him, at both club and national level.
Another loan spell, this time at a club in the Premiership, would certainly stand him in good stead should he aim to challenge for a spot next to Cifuentes in the Gers midfield in the years to come.
Leeds United have new owners in the form of 49ers Enterprises and they are looking to improve matters not just on the field but away from the cameras at Elland Road, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
What's the latest news involving 49ers Enterprises and Leeds United?
Leeds United will kick off life in the Sky Bet Championship once again this Sunday where they will take on Cardiff City at Elland Road on Sunday 6th August, which will be Daniel Farke's first competitive match in charge of the Whites, as per Sky Sports.
The German coach has taken a steady approach in the transfer market as the dust finally begins to settle after a period of turbulence at Leeds United and has brought in Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow to strengthen his squad, as per Transfermarkt.
Of course, Leeds United are now under the control of 49ers Enterprises, who will be tasked with steering the club forward and new chairman, Paraag Marathe, spoke of his ambitions for the club in an interview with their official website, stating: "This is an important moment for Leeds United and we are already hard at work.
He then added: "This transition is a necessary reset to chart a new course for the Club. We have already appointed a highly-respected First Team Manager with a track record of success, and we are confident Leeds will field a competitive squad to contend for promotion next season. It’s a privilege to carry this torch as I know we have a responsibility to ensure this Club makes our staff, players, supporters, and the Leeds and Yorkshire communities proud."
According to The Daily Mail, 49ers Enterprises have a plan in place to maximise matchday revenue at Elland Road, which currently stands at around £1 million per matchday.
Ideas are being drawn up that would see Leeds United increase the capacity of their home ground to 55,000 spectators, while redevelopment would also bring 'a raft of new corporate hospitality offerings in revamped east and north stands' at a cost of around £200 million.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jacobs has detailed that 49ers Enterprises are 'fully invested' in the task at hand of trying to win promotion and also to ensure the club generates maximum income moving forward.
Jacobs stated: “I think that's true. Leeds have ultimately gone down, and that will set the club back.
“But 49ers Enterprises have always been fully invested in the project. And we know, historically, that Elland Road is a big priority. That will help Leeds to move on, modernise and ultimately make more money from the football club.
“49ers Enterprises are not just thinking about this project in terms of the football side. They are also looking at this in terms of how they can bring the club on par with the top teams and the top brands. To do that, as Manchester United are finding, you must consider where you will invest your capital.”
What now for Leeds United?
Leeds United will continue to press on with their recruitment hunt as time continues to tick down in the window as it enters it's final month of business.
According to Football Insider, Leeds United are keen on Joel Piroe this summer; however, Swansea City will hold out for between £15-20 million for the Dutch striker before agreeing to let him depart the Swansea.com Stadium.
Journalist Alan Nixon has confirmed on Patreon that Leeds United have joined West Ham United and Fulham in the hunt for Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who could cost £15 million to bring to Elland Road.
Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara is expected to leave his current employers and has been earmarked as a target for Leeds United. The Finland international is believed to have a release clause of £5 million, which could well be the fee required to secure his services, as per The Yorkshire Evening Post.
تقام اليوم الجمعة 3 مايو، المباراة النهائية لبطولة كأس آسيا تحت 23 عاماً، بين منتخبي اليابان وأوزبكستان، في البطولة المقامة على الأراضي القطرية والمؤهلة إلى دورة الألعاب الأولمبية في باريس 2024.
وتلعب بطولة كأس آسيا تحت 23 عاما في قطر، حيث انطلقت 15 أبريل الماضي وتنتهي اليوم الجمعة 3 مايو 2024 بمشاركة 16 منتخبا.
وتعد مباراة اليابان وأوزبكستان مهمة للجماهير المصرية، في تحديد منافس منتخب مصر الأولمبي في بطولة أولمبياد باريس 2024 القادمة.
وكانت قرعة بطولة دورة الألعاب الأولمبية لمنافسات كرة القدم، أوقعت منتخب مصر الأولمبي في المجموعة الثالثة مع وصيف كأس آسيا، إسبانيا والدومينيكان.
طالع | نتائج قرعة أولمبياد باريس 2024 كرة القدم رجال.. مجموعة صعبة لـ مصر وصدام مغربي أرجنتيني
وتلعب منافسات أولمبياد باريس 2024 في الفترة ما بين 24 يوليو حتى 9 أغسطس من العام الحالي.
منتخب مصر الأولمبي كان قد تأهل إلى أولمبياد باريس بعدما احتل المركز الثاني في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا تحت 23 عاماً خلف منتخب المغرب الذي توج بالبطولة. موعد مباراة اليابان وأوزبكستان اليوم في نهائي كأس آسيا تحت 23 عاماً
تقام مباراة اليابان وأوزبكستان في تمام الساعة 6:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة اليابان وأوزبكستان اليوم في نهائي كأس آسيا تحت 23 عاماً
تنقل المباراة عبر قنوات “beIN Sports AFC ” وSSC Extra 2 والكأس 9 HD وأبو ظبي آسيا.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
ScorecardMichael Carberry summoned some of the old magic [file picture]•Getty Images
Middlesex were still closed away in the dressing room, refusing requests for interviews, more than a hour after a spectacular collapse against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl consigned them to a 29-run defeat in the NatWest Blast.Even that was something of a release for Middlesex, who found themselves 74 for 7 in the 13th over before Tim Southee hammered five sixes in his 64 off 32 balls to narrow the margin.Hampshire were still comfortable winners, with young leg-spinner Mason Crane taking 3 for 15 off four overs and Reece Topley, Gareth Berg and Kyle Abbott all grabbing a wicket a piece.Crane said: “”Three good performances so far and everyone has contributed in all of them. It hasn’t been the same players in every game and that shows we have a strong team. The crowd were amazing. I’ve never seen it that full for a Hampshire game.”Hampshire continued their winning start thanks to a Man-of-the-Match performance by Michael Carberry, who smashed 77 off 45 balls and followed it up with two catches.The former England opener showed he is still capable of some devastating power hitting at the age of 36, while captain James Vince played some classy shots in his brief 34 to get his side on the front foot from the off.Vince won the toss and opted to bat first in his side’s first home game of the season, backing up his decision with six classy fours and a six in his quickfire 34 off 15, before skying one from Toby Roland-Jones high into the air only to be caught by Southee at square leg.Rilee Roussow and Carberry put on a measured 48-run partnership, ensuring the scoreboard ticked over, but the South African soon followed his captain back to the dressing room after clubbing a flat catch to James Franklin at long-on off the bowling of Nathan Sowter.Carberry followed up his 41 not out against Sussex on Wednesday night with a magnificent batting display in front of the Ageas Bowl crowd, placing a delicate shot through gully to reach his 50 off 32 balls. And the 36-year-old wasted no time in following that up with two sixes straight back down the ground and into jubilant crowd.A tough evening for the Middlesex bowlers showed no sign of easing up, as Aussie George Bailey smacked 28 off 19 balls, with a six and three fours, but Roland-Jones cut his innings short as it began to reach full flow having him caught at long-on by Dawid Malan.Shahid Afridi’s batting struggles continued, the 37-year-old failing to add anything to a tally of five runs in this year’s Blast competition when he was caught in the deep by Malan trying to power Roland-Jones for six.After looking as if they would set Middlesex a score of over 200 to win, the steady fall of wickets, including that of Carberry in the final over, bowled by Franklin, Hampshire managed 189 for 8.Roland-Jones, released by England from the Test squad, ended the pick of Middlesex’s bowlers after taking 4 for 39 off his four overs, while Franklin took three wickets in the last over of the innings to end with 3 for 19 off two overs.Hampshire continued as they started, Abbott sending Paul Stirling packing for just six runs and Topley following up with the wicket of dangerman Brendon McCullum, thanks to a stunning acrobatic catch from Rossouw at midwicket. England captain Eoin Morgan put up some resistance, making 23 off 22, before wicketkeeper John Simpson and New Zealander Southee came together in an eighth-wicket stand of 86 to try and salvage the game.Southee reached a half-century off 28 balls, while Simpson made 37 off 34 as Middlesex fell 29 runs short.
The Australia vice-captain told Channel Nine that players were committed to ensuring that all players shared in the game’s upside, not just an elite few
Daniel Brettig18-Jun-20173:46
The pay dispute at a glance
Australia’s vice-captain David Warner has underlined the willingness of the nation’s top players to go without employment in order to achieve the retention of the fixed revenue percentage model at the heart of the pay dispute between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association.Less than two weeks remain before the expiry of the current MoU, with CA and the ACA making very little progress in talks over how to reach a compromise on the next deal. CA is adamant in its desire to break up the revenue sharing model and fix the wages of all but the top male and female players.Warner, who has been the most outspoken critic of the board in recent weeks after the chief executive James Sutherland threatened they would be left unemployed if the ACA did not agree to CA’s terms, told Channel Nine that the players were committed to ensuring all cricketers shared in the game’s upside, not just an elite few.”We’re prepared as players to give a little bit more in that revenue share [percentage],” he said of the ACA’s proposal to reduce the players share from around 26% to 22.5% with more money to go to grassroots levels. “But that’s what we want. We’re not going to budge from the revenue sharing model, we want equality, and a fair share for domestic and female players. That in a nutshell is what it’s all about.”We’ve been offered contracts and we’ve knocked them back. That’s because we want to make sure the female players and domestic players are in this revenue share model. In the decades that have gone past, the past players that have been in our situation have stood up for us. I was a domestic player, I was a young kid coming through, we’re doing the same as what they did as well.””From where I stand and the position I take on this, I try to take as much heat off [Steven Smith] as possible.” – David Warner•Associated PressCA last week named a squad for the scheduled Test tour of Bangladesh in August, but Warner stated bluntly that there would be no players boarding the plane for the series if no agreement had been reached. He also reiterated his view that the Ashes, too, would be threatened by a lengthy dispute.”From our point of view I want to play for Australia and so do the other boys,” Warner said. “But if there’s nothing that’s put in place for what we’re trying to achieve here, from both point of views, we’re not going to tour Bangladesh, there might not be an Ashes if we don’t have an MoU.”We want to keep playing cricket for Australia, that’s our goal. If there’s no cricket in summer, what are we going to do? We’re going to be locked out. Where do we train? They can lock us out from all the different training facilities. It’s going to be disappointing if it comes to that, we want to keep playing for Australia. But if we don’t have the MoU done, it’s going to be hard for us to walk on that plane come Bangladesh.”From July 1, we’re unemployed. We’ve been threatened with that. We’re hopeful there’s going to be an agreement done — it’s a sticky situation.”There has been a contrast in Warner’s outspokenness next to the more measured words of the national team captain, Steven Smith. Warner said he was happy to stick his head above the parapet on the issue, though admitted Smith could perhaps also be more vocal as the days tick down to the MoU expiry.”From where I stand and the position I take on this, I try to take as much heat off [Smith] as possible. He does lead us on the field, and rightfully so off the field as well, he does a great job,” Warner said. “In this circumstance I’m willing to go out there into bat for everyone. Yeah sometimes he could probably push a little bit more, but I think he’s doing a great job, as well as the other players like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood as well.”Talks between CA and the ACA are expected to continue this week.
Leeds United target Lewis Pirie is set to travel to Yorkshire for a medical imminently, as reports in Scotland reveal further details on the 16 year-old's agreement with the Whites.
Who are Leeds signing in 2023?
Daniel Farke looks set for an extremely busy summer once the takeover is officially signed and sealed, with the new boss sure to want to overhaul the squad and reshape it in his image.
The Elland Road outfit have brought in Nick Hammond as interim football advisor to dictate transfer activity this summer, and a number of outgoings are expected in Yorkshire to start with, as centre-back Robin Koch has already secured a move away after joining Eintracht Frankfurt, while Brenden Aaronson and Marc Roca are not thought to be too far behind.
In terms of potential signings, Phil Hay reports that a new goalkeeper, left-back, centre-back, midfielder and forward could all arrive, and the reliable reporter revealed that Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow is a possible target between the sticks.
Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips seems to be the main target to reinforce the centre of defence, and Coventry City’s Gustavo Hamer has long been linked as a possible midfield addition, as per Hay.
Coventry City midfielderGustavo Hamer.
Up front, Aberdeen starlet Pirie is clearly first up on the agenda, with reports of a move emerging during the week before Fabrizio Romano revealed a breakthrough in talks on Friday morning, sharing that a deal had been agreed at around £200,000.
Now, in an update from sources north of the border (The Daily Record print edition, July 8, page 50) and thus likely more in the know, it seems Leeds fans have plenty of reason to be excited about this deal.
That is because not only is the fee cheaper than first reported, with the initial cost just £150,000, but Pirie has actually rejected an offer of fresh terms with current club Aberdeen, so it seems the striker is really dead set on becoming a star at Leeds – the sort of thing all fans want to hear about their new arrivals.
Pirie is now booked in for an imminent medical, and is thought to be travelling down to Yorkshire as we speak, with the signing likely to be officially announced next week.
How good is Lewis Pirie?
Pirie’s record at youth level makes for some reading – he scored 51 goals for club and country last season, as per Romano – so this looks like an incredibly exciting capture for Leeds. You’d expect that the teenager will initially slot into the youth sides at Thorp Arch, perhaps with a view to getting some minutes in the cups this season or even embarking on a loan spell to a lower division.
Leeds have proven to be one of the best in the land for offering chances to youngsters though, becoming the first team in Premier League history to hand eight teenagers their debuts in one season back when Marcelo Bielsa was at the helm, so don't be surprised to see Pirie in the first-team on a regular basis before too long, such is his prolific form at academy level.
The likes of Joe Gelhardt and Crysencio Summerville have thrived since making that step up from academy level to senior football in Yorkshire, and hopefully Pirie can follow in their footsteps or be even better.