Leeds United

Leeds fans to protest over Lennon
Furious Leeds United supporters plan to protest against the sale of midfielder Aaron Lennon to Tottenham for £1m. The 18-year-old will complete his move to White Hart Lane once he agrees personal terms and passes a medical. Leeds fans are upset with chairman Ken Bates, who they believe pledged to stop the sale of their young players. "We aim to make our feelings known because we thought the sales would stop but nothing has changed," said a Leeds United Supporters Group spokesman.

Brighton hopeful of Harding deal
Brighton chairman Dick Knight is hopeful Leeds will make an improved offer for defender Dan Harding. The 21-year-old has already agreed personal terms with the Elland Road outfit and will complete his move when his contract expires on 30 June. But the two clubs are yet to agree a fee and face a transfer tribunal. "I spoke last with the chief executive of Leeds last Friday. He made an offer which is not acceptable to us," Knight told the club's website. "He may well come back to us with another offer in the next couple of days, but equally that may not happen, in which case it will go to a tribunal. "That tribunal can't take place until after 1 July, but we will be pressing the league for that to take place as quickly as possible." Harding had been close to agreeing a new deal at Withdean in March. Chief executive Martin Perry earlier said: "He had confirmed he was going to sign his contract, but didn't do so, although it was on the table to sign at any time."

Blackwell brings Bennett to Leeds
Leeds have signed Ian Bennett from Birmingham as cover for Neil Sullivan. The 33-year-old goalkeeper was out of contract and rejected the offer of a new deal at St Andrews before opting for Leeds ahead of Sheffield United. And manager Kevin Blackwell insists he will be back in the market before too long: "We're still looking at three of four players we might bring in. "But I'm not going to go talking about who I would or wouldn't like to bring in or what areas I need to strengthen."

Agent says Thornton is wanted man
Sunderland misfit Sean Thornton is wanted by Leeds and Crystal Palace according to his agent. Thornton, 22, has been told he has no future at Sunderland and his agent claims he is also attracting interest from Spanish side Malaga. His agent Lee Payne told Skysports.com: "There's interest from Leeds and Palace but nothing concrete as yet. "They're interested in Sean and would have to agree something with Sunderland first, but Malaga are a definite."

Agnew leaves Leeds for Hartlepool
Leeds United coach Steve Agnew has resigned from his position to become assistant manager at Hartlepool. Agnew's successor at Elland Road is likely to be brought in quickly, with manager Kevin Blackwell admitting he has a shortlist of names. Blackwell told BBC Radio Leeds: "I will be bringing another coach in and I have two or three people in mind. "The fact that two of our coaches have moved on recently shows how highly the staff here are thought of in the game."

Darlington agree deal for Johnson
Darlington have completed the signing of striker Simon Johnson from Leeds on a two-year deal. The 22-year-old has become the club's first summer signing after talks with manager David Hodgson. Hodgson told the club's website: "Simon is a young talented striker and has good experience of League football and will be a key member of our squad. "We've been trailing him for some time and I'm delighted that he's decided to join Darlington." Hodgson added: "We are still in talks with our other targets and hope to have some more good news for the fans in the next few weeks."

Leeds sign Preston winger Lewis
Leeds United have signed out of contract Preston winger Eddie Lewis, subject to the USA international securing a work permit. Lewis, 31, passed a medical on Wednesday and has signed a two-year contract with a further one-year option triggered by appearances. "I'm really excited to be involved with a club that in my opinion are on the up," said Lewis. "Playing wide on the left I'll try and give the team a good balance." Lewis admitted it was Leeds' ambition that convinced him to sign for the Elland Road club. He told Leeds website: "I see the ambition here and I'm excited to be at a club that's on the same page as I am. "The size of the club and the fact that financially things appear to be sorted out, now makes it a fantastic club going forward. "I already knew the stadium had an unbelievable atmosphere and the training ground is second to none. "Between the manager and the players that are already here, it looks well-placed to do good things. "There is a part of me that is sad to leave Preston because I enjoyed my time there. "But I'm not 100% convinced they're trying to go in the same direction that Leeds are." The left winger joined Preston from Fulham for £500,000 in 2002. Lewis played his last game for North End in the play-off final defeat to West Ham in May. Preston boss Billy Davies was hopeful Lewis would sign a new contract with the Deepdale club. Lewis becomes Kevin Blackwell's fourth signing of the summer and follows striker David Healy in making the switch from Deepdale to Elland Road. Healy joined Leeds in October 2004 and scored twice on his winning return to Deepdale.

Leeds is not for sale says Bates
Leeds chairman Ken Bates has slammed as "contemptible" rumours that he has put the club up for sale. Bates has only been at the club since January and is angry that the speculation could undermine his efforts at Elland Road. "These people do not know the damage they are causing," blasted Bates. "It is contemptible. I want to make it perfectly clear that Leeds United's owners have neither received an offer, nor would they encourage one." Bates added: "Quite simply the club is not for sale."

Leeds set to seal Stone signing
Leeds are set to complete the signing of former England midfielder Steve Stone on a free transfer from Portsmouth, reports BBC Radio Leeds. The 33-year-old is believed to have undergone a medical at the Elland Road club's Thorp Arch training ground. Stone was told at the end of last season that he would not be offered a new deal at Fratton Park. Former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp was interested in taking him to Southampton but Leeds appear to have won the race.

Gillespie seeking a move to Leeds
Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie has joined Leeds United's pre-season training in a bid to win a contract at Elland Road. Gillespie was released by Leicester at the end of last season and had been given the chance of a pre-season trial with Crystal Palace. However, the 30-year-old former Newcastle winger has opted to try and impress Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell. A move to Leeds would see Gillespie team up with NI colleague David Healy.

Agent silent on future of Bakke
Eirik Bakke's agent Rune Hauge has refused to comment on speculation linking the player with a move away from Leeds, report BBC Radio Leeds. The 27-year-old, who has two years of his contract remaining, is reportedly wanted by Birmingham and Aston Villa. Bakke has started pre-season with the Elland Road club having recovered from long-term injury problems. Meanwhile Leeds have turned down a bid from Cardiff for captain Paul Butler who is set to sign a new one-year deal.

Joachim completes Boston switch
Boston have signed Leeds United striker Julian Joachim on a two-year deal. The 30-year-old hails from Boston and returns "home" after successful spells in the midlands with Aston Villa, Leicester City and Coventry City. More recently Joachim had a productive loan period at Walsall towards the end of last season, but the clubs could not agree terms on a permanent switch. Leeds insisted they would not offer Joachim a settlement on the remaining year of his contract.

Sunderland sign Leeds youngster
Leeds midfielder Martin Woods has joined Sunderland on a free transfer. Woods, who made one appearance for Leeds last season in a Championship match at the Stadium of Light, said: "Sunderland is a massive club "I'm delighted to move here and the set-up is fantastic, it's an exciting move for me. My aim right now is to force my way into first-team set-up." The 19-year-old Scottish-born player becomes Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy's sixth signing of the summer. Jon Stead, Kelvin Davis, Daryl Murphy, Nyron Nosworthy and Tommy Miller have already joined since Sunderland clinched promotion to the promotion. Woods was offered a new deal by Leeds but told Sunderland's website: "When I learned of Sunderland's interest I was delighted. "I trained with the lads today and I'm excited about the future."

Leeds move in for Blues striker
Birmingham are considering an £800,000 offer from Championship side Leeds for striker Robbie Blake. "We have had an offer from Leeds for Robbie Blake," revealed Birmingham manager Steve Bruce. "We are considering it and talks are on-going. Robbie has done well for us but he wants to play more and at Leeds he would probably play every week." Former Burnley forward Blake, 28, joined Birmingham from Burnley in the January transfer window for £1.25m. Blake started his career at Darlington and has also played for Bradford and Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, Zimbabwean goalkeeper Energy Murambaradoro, Brazilian striker Catanha, Hungarian international midfielder Zsolt Baranyos, Ivory Coast striker Georges Ba and Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie are all on trial at Leeds.

Hulse hopes for training return
Leeds striker Rob Hulse hopes to return to training this week, having been out since July with an ankle ligament injury he sustained in pre-season. "The ligaments are getting a little bit stronger every day," the former West Brom man told the club's website. "But I don't want to rush in too quickly and set myself back further. "They said it would take me about six weeks and it will be five weeks today, so if I can get back into training then it will be brilliant."

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