Leeds United have confirmed the signing of striker Jay-Roy Grot from Dutch club NEC Nijmegen for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal. The young forward comes on the back of huge expectations following a brilliant season in the Jupiler League.
Leeds United’s sale of their star striker Chris Wood to Burnley has left fans shocked and many people had expected him to leave for a club of a higher stature than that of Burnley. Manager Thomas Christiansen, however, has kept his side’s results positive as Leeds have won two games and drawn twice in the opening four matches.
Their away win by a 2-0 margin against recently relegated side Sunderland surely keeps the positivity going in the dressing room with Caleb Ekuban taking up the cudgels in Wood’s absence. The Peacocks are preparing for life after Wood and Ekuban could be their torch bearer now given how things are going. The New Zealand international was a sure goner this summer, which was hinted by Leeds’ spending money to get in Ekuban and Samu Saiz in the summer.
Leeds enjoyed a comfortable 5-1 win over League Two side Newport County where the Spanish gaffer handed starts to the bench players. And this is where 19-year-old Grot could come in handy. The Dutch Under-19 international has scored five goals in 20 Eredivisie games last season and is expected to make his debut for the Whites on Saturday when they travel to Nottingham Forest.
Speaking to the club website, the youngster said, “I am very happy, this is such a big club and this is a big step in my career, I am delighted to have signed for Leeds United.”
The Leeds United fans can have a look at what a brilliant signing Jay-Roy Grot can turn out for the club. This brilliant infographic provided by Chris Taylor, details everything you need to know about the new signing (and helps not having to wiki the player).
Leeds have already parted ways with striker Souleymane Doukara, as the 25-year-old has reportedly signed a two-year deal with Turkish side Osmanlispor as the Yorkshire club decided to release him on Wednesday. There are only two natural centre forwards remaining at Leeds right now.
A striker by nature, Grot can also play on the right wing. His young age makes him quite fast and could become a massive asset to the club if Christiansen can use him wisely. While the fans expected a like for like replacement for the striker, the manager has taken a huge risk by getting in the youngster.
An academy product of NEC Nijmegen, Grot broke into their first team only last season. With the World Cup season going on, this will be a huge term for the boy from Arnhem, where there is little competition for a striker in the national team.
