Leeds United fans have been spoiled with signings this summer, both for the first-team and the Under-23 Development Squad. There are many rumours that this glut of signings hasn’t ended.
According to news coming from the Irish Mirror, the Whites are one of a number of sides interested in young Irish stopper Conor O’Malley.
The Mirror’s reporter Paul O’Hehir says that Leeds face a battle not only with an ‘unnamed’ Championship side, but also from a number of other sides. Some of these sides interested in signing the 23-year-old St Partrick’s Athletic keeper are from the League of Ireland, but English sides Wigan and Peterborough are also mentioned as “interested” parties.
O’Malley, who celebrates his 23rd birthday today, signed for the St Pat’s from Shamrock Rovers at the opening of the January 2015 winter transfer window. Prior to that, the younger keeper played for Mervue United AFC, signing for Shamrock Rovers on January 1 2014.
In total O’Malley has made 39 appearances for St Patrick’s Athletic since joining the club, conceding 49 goals and keeping 11 clean sheets. Last season he made 19 appearances for the club, appearances where he conceded 29 times as well as keeping two clean sheets. He was also on the bench for the Europa League Qualifiers against Jeunesse Esch (A) and Dinamo Minsk (H).
The Irish Mirror say that O’Malley, who is under contract and still wanted by the club, “is more likely to join an English club ahead of an Irish rival next season”, should he be prised away from the Irish club.
Leeds United have a track record of developing Irish talent with recent arrival Paudie O’Connor the latest in a long line of players such as Gary Kelly, Ian Harte and Johnny Giles.
