Following Newcastle United’s lead, Championship club Leeds United have secured the services of winger Hadi Sacko on a three-year deal after his season-long loan stint last term. The French Under-20 international has played a crucial role for the Whites as a squad player and could be a major part of the club’s aim to challenge for a Premier League promotion next season.
Leeds United managing director Angus Kinnear said, “He is an exciting player with great potential and a player we hope to see develop over the next three years.”
Following a frustrating season, which saw Leeds United getting dangerously close to landing a playoff position before a streak of disappointing results in the ending weeks saw things pan out differently, the historic club has been taken over by Italian Andrea Radrizzani. And although he couldn’t stop Garry Monk from leaving the side, Leeds seem to make a statement with this deal.
Scoring has been a huge concern for Leeds last season with none of the forwards except the phenomenal Chris Wood making an impact. Monk’s side fired in 61 goals out of which Wood scored 27. The second highest scorer for the club was playmaker Pablo Hernandez. While the search for a new manager continues for the club, Radrizzani looks to have taken up the cudgels.
A clause in Sacko’s loan deal from Sporting Lisbon was the option to sign him at the end of his tenure and Leeds decided to activate it. Although the fee remains undisclosed, the Frenchman has reportedly made a move somewhere in the region between £1.5m and £2m.
Sacko made 42 appearances for Leeds United last season starting 28 times. He has managed two goals and four assists in them and although the numbers aren’t impressive, the club is expected to bring in few more creative players this summer that might boost his chances. At 23, Sacko is yet to earn a national cap for France’s first team and this season will definitely be a career-defining one for him.
A right winger by nature, he can play on the other flank as well as through the middle. He has drawn cheers from the crowd with his breath-taking dribbles and Leeds seem excited about the player.
An academy product of FC Girondins Bordeaux, Sacko has spent a short loans stint with AC Le Havre before Sporting Lisbon bought him in 2014. Unable to break into their first team, Sacko has been sent on loans to FC Sochaux-Montbéliard followed by Leeds. Sacko is still waiting for the breakthrough season, and next season looks like it.
