With signings in all of the areas of the pitch, four that have really caught the eye are Spaniard Samuel Sáiz (pictured top left), midfielder Mateusz Klich (pictured bottom left), former Newcastle player Vurnon Anita (pictured top right) and winger Ezgjan Alioski (pictured bottom right).
Ahead of the new season, City Dweller Magazine has profiled these four players to give you an idea of what to expect in the new season.
Samuel Sáiz signed a four year contract at Elland Road, joining from Spanish side SD Huesca. Born in Madrid, Sáiz came through the ranks at Real Madrid, going on to make appearances for their B and C teams. Spells at UD Melilla, Getafe and UD Almería followed, before he was snapped up by Atlético Madrid in 2014. Sáiz then moved initially on loan to Huesca, before that move was made permanent in 2016.
Last season he made 40 appearances, scoring 12 goals and provided eight assists, helping Huesca reach the Play-Offs.
Mateusz Klich is a Polish international and has signed a three year contract after scoring six goals in 30 appearances last season.
A number of clubs were chasing the signature of Klich, who spoke to LUTV about his delight in securing a move to Elland Road:
“I am very happy to have signed for such a huge club and I’m looking forward to playing in the famous white shirt. I’m excited to come to England and test myself in the Championship and I can’t wait to get going. The team came close to promotion last season so hopefully we can go one better and I’m looking forward to meeting my new team mates next week and getting started.”
The next signing of the summer was Vurnon Anita. After spending seven seasons at Ajax he was snapped up by Newcastle in the summer of 2012 and the versatile 28 year old made 27 Sky Bet Championship appearances last season helping the Magpies secure promotion back to the top flight.
FInally, the last summer signing that we’re shining a spotlight on is Macedonia international Ezgjan Alioski. After coming through the ranks at Young Boys, Alioski moved to fellow Swiss side FC Schaffhausen in 2013. He spent three years with Schaffhausen, before joining FC Lugano, initially on loan, in January 2016, before that move was made permanent.
Last season, in his first full campaign with Lugano, Alioski made 36 appearances, scored 17 goals and provided 14 assists. He finished as Lugano’s top goal scorer during the campaign and third overall in the Swiss Super League.
With a difficult start to the season that sees Leeds take on Preston, Fulham and Sunderland in the opening weeks, United will be hoping they hit the ground running.
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