Leeds United secure second January signing as Ian Poveda joins from Manchester City

Leeds United have secured their second signing of the January transfer window, with the capture of Manchester City winger Ian Poveda.

The 19-year-old joins United on a free transfer, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Poveda is a player the Leeds hierarchy believe can adequately fill the place of Jack Clarke, who was recalled by Tottenham Hotspur at the start of the transfer window before another loan move to Queens Park Rangers, and contribute to Marcelo Bielsa’s first team.

United faced stiff competition for his signature, with Serie A sides Torino and Parma both reportedly keen.

His contract was due to expire at Manchester City this summer, after almost four years at the Etihad Stadium.

He made just one senior appearance for City, which came in the Carabao Cup against League One side Burton Albion. But he also featured in the EFL Trophy for the Under 21s, scoring twice at Oakwell against Barnsley.

The England Under 20s international joined Manchester City from Brentford in 2016 and has also spent time with Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona.

The deal to bring him to Elland Road was completed today, after he passed a medical yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile Leeds’ search for a striker goes on.

They remain in talks with a small number of targets, having had a third bid for Che Adams turned down by Southampton this week.

United proposed a loan-to-buy deal, including a significant loan fee and a £20m summer payment if promotion back to the Premier League was secured.

The Saints have publically maintained that Adams, who scored 22 goals in the Championship last season for Birmingham City, is not available.

Leeds are still exploring a potential move for a striker plying his trade on the continent.