After completing his medical over the weekend, Leeds United have confirmed the signing of central midfielder Toumani Diagouraga from Brentford. He joins for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half year deal. He is expected to make his debut tomorrow evening…….against Brentford.
The 28-year-old watched the weekend victory over Bristol City in the stands at Elland Road, but has now received official confirmation that he is free to line up alongside his new teammates. He has been assigned the number 16 with the club and become’s the second new signing made by head coach Steve Evans this month, following the loan capture of Mustapha Carayol.
Speaking about the concluded deal, Diagouraga is delighted to finally call himself a Leeds United player and cannot wait to get started,
“It came about very fast. Once I was aware Leeds were interested and a bid had been accepted, I came straight up here and made it happen. It was a difficult decision to leave Brentford but I felt the time was right for me to take on a new challenge.
It’s a massive club with a massive fan base. It’s a club that belongs in the Premier League and one that should really be fighting for promotion. I’ve played here against Leeds a few times. Every time you come here and see the stadium and the supporters you know it’s a massive club.
I’m sure most players would love to play in a stadium like this. It brings big expectations, but if you can’t handle that, then you shouldn’t be here.”
Thanks for all the welcoming messages I am looking forward to a new challenge with #lufc can't wait to get started 👍
— Toumani diagouraga (@toums20) January 22, 2016
Not only is Diagouraga himself delighted to sign on, Evans is just as pleased at adding the former Paris St-Germain youngster to his midfield options,
“Toums is a player who has been outstanding for Brentford in recent seasons. To many people in the game, myself included, he was one of the two or three key players who led Brentford to the play-offs last season.
Our supporters will quickly see that Toums is a big, strong, controlling midfield player who will boss the middle of the park on more occasions that many in the Championship.
He is a player, alongside Liam Bridcutt, that I identified when I first joined Leeds United as someone that I’d really like to bring to Elland Road.”
In helping Brentford reach the paly-offs last season, Diagouraga also collected the Supporters’ Player of the Season award. He’ll be hoping to leave a similar impression on Leeds United supporters for the rest of the season, and the years ahead.
