According to BBC, Leeds United have completed the signing of Middlesbrough striker Patrick Bamford. He has joined on a four-year deal worth up to £10million. The 24-year-old netted 12 goals in 44 appearances last season as Middlesbrough narrowly missed on promotion.
Boro lost to finalists Aston Villa in the promotion playoffs. The striker has become Leeds‘ fifth summer signing and was understandably signed to replace Chris Wood, who moved to Burnley in the summer of 2017. Manager Marcelo Bielsa has already signed goalkeeper Jamal Blackman, defender Barry Douglas and midfielders Lewis Baker and Jack Harrison.
The former England Under-21 international started his career at Nottingham Forest. Bamford joined Chelsea in 2012 and was immediately loaned out to the likes of Derby, Crystal Palace and Burnley. A natural centre-forward, Bamford can play anywhere across the attack.
The 24-year-old made 43 appearances in total for Boro across two seasons. He has a lot of experience having played over 160 Championship, League One and Premier League games. Bamford has scored 55 goals and provided 13 assists across these competitions.
He won an average of 1.5 aerial duels per game last season, highlighting his dominance in the air. Following Wood’s move, the Whites signed the likes of Caleb Ekuban, Pawel Cibicki and Pierre-Michel Lasogga (loan). However, all of them failed to fill the void. The Elland Road side could only manage a 13th place finish in the last campaign.
However, Bamford’s capture is a brilliant move by Leeds. He is technically-gifted while attacking but can also put in a good defensive shift. He is a pacy striker who is also an excellent finisher. Bamford can score and create opportunities for his teammates while his smart movement and intelligent link-up play will give defenders a headache this season.
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With his best years still ahead of him, Bamford could prove to be a great asset for Leeds. In the second tier of English football, he averages a goal every 171 minutes. This tally is only likely to increase.
Leeds kick off their Championship campaign on Sunday. The Whites take on newly-relegated Stoke City and Bamford must strive to fire the club back to the Premier League at the end of this season.
