Ex-Leeds United man signed by Marcelo Bielsa ends free agent status as he pens deal at top-flight side

Former Leeds United defender Barry Douglas has joined Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone on a deal until the end of the season, subject to approval from the Scottish Football Association.

Douglas, who hails from Glasgow and started his career in Scotland with Queen’s Park, has been without a club since leaving Lech Poznan at the end of this contract earlier this year. The 35-year-old had two spells with the Polish club and also played for Dundee United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It was from Wolves that Leeds signed him for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2018, as he penned a three-year deal at Elland Road. The defender was the first permanent signing of the Marcelo Bielsa era, with loan deals for Chelsea pair Jamal Blackman and Lewis Baker completed earlier that summer. Douglas had played 39 times for Wolves in the previous season, scoring five goals, as the club were promoted to the Premier League.

The Yorkshire Evening Post has launched a new Leeds United WhatsApp Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our YEP - Leeds United channel.

He struggled with injury at Leeds, and was restricted to 27 appearances in his first season as Gjanni Alioski emerged as the number one option at left-back. He made 17 appearances in all competitions the following campaign as the Whites were promoted to the Premier League. He joined Blackburn Rovers on loan for the 2020-21 campaign and was released by Leeds upon his return to Yorkshire.

Douglas excited by new opportunity

“It is an exciting time. I am looking forward to the opportunity to come in and try to help the guys develop. There is a project here. It is a bit of a transition period with the new manager coming in. I had a look and it is quite a young squad, so I can definitely bring my quality and experience to help everyone develop both on and off the park. The hunger is still there, the drive is still there and that is why I am so excited to be here playing my football,” he said of his move to St Johnstone, who are ninth in the Scottish Premiership after nine games.

Subscribe to Inside Elland Road, with Graham Smyth for unique, behind-the-scenes Leeds United coverage, expert analysis and exclusive interviews

Douglas was in the stands as St Johnstone gave their season a much-needed boost, with a 3-0 win over Ross County last weekend. He added: “It was a good and convincing win. There is definitely a lot of quality in the squad and I think when we start to work with the new manager and his philosophy, the only way is up really. We should have momentum now. The squad will have a lot of belief and positivity.”

At the time of his loan move to Blackburn, Douglas was the subject of praise from then Leeds sporting director Victor Orta, who said: “You are clearly a top player and anyone who understands the game can see your quality. Unfortunately things have just not fallen for you in the way they should have done during your time at Leeds United, which can happen in football. A lot of people credit Marcelo with changing the culture of Leeds United since he arrived, which is absolutely true, but you also arrived during the summer of 2018 and I know a lot of people also believe that your arrival at the club sparked a change in the dressing room too.

“You are a positive influence. I have seen first-hand how you have taken the younger players in the squad under your wing and given them important advice and it is clear to everybody that you are very popular amongst the senior players at the club. I understand why you are leaving.  You are a proper professional and you want to play and I respect that greatly. You leave us as a champion on the pitch and I hope now people understand that you are a champion off the field too. Thank you for everything Barry.”