According to reports, Leeds United have finally completed the signing of Macedonian international Ezgjan Alioski following the Whites’ weeks of pursuit of the 25-year-old. The immensely versatile player is widely expected to join Thomas Christiansen’s side in the pre-season tour in Austria and play his first game against German side FC Ingolstadt.
Alioski was a player of Swiss side FC Lugano, where he was a hero last season with a whopping 17 goals and 14 assists last season in 36 games. Leeds have brought him on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, and given his tremendous utility across the field, he looks like their best buy of the season. He becomes the club’s ninth signing of the season as Leeds compete with Scottish side Rangers on that front.
Leeds United have undergone numerous changes both at the squad level as well as the administrative level. The disappointing season last term, where they could finish in the seventh position with 75 points, was soon followed by a change in ownership and Garry Monk leaving the helm.
While the search for a new manager was on, the club finalised the deal of Hadi Sacko. And after Christiansen took charge, Leeds were on a roll bringing in central midfielder Mateusz Klich and goalie Felix Wiedwald. It was soon followed by picking up free agent Vurnon Anita who was a crucial part of Newcastle United’s Championship winning side last season and Pontus Janssen coming onboard permanently. Soon they were joined by Caleb Ekuban from Chievo Verona and Samu Saiz came along with Alioski.
The huge arsenal is definitely expected to give the side a real chance to have a go at the title and Alioski should play a huge role in it. The Prilep-born player, who has 13 caps in national colours, can play as a left-back, a right winger and also a left winger. Beginning his career as a left back for fourth-tier Swiss side BSC Young Boys, the 18-year-old really flourished. It was followed by a move up to second-tier side FC Schaffhausen, where he was for three years.
He went to Lugano then, where he was transformed into a right wing and then into a striker. And to everyone’s surprise, he didn’t lack the composure and kept his scoring touch. However, Christiansen is expected to play him as an attacker given Leeds’ lack of quality attacking options apart from Chris Wood. The Whites could score only 61 goals last season compared to Fulham’s 85, and Alioski is expected to fill the large gap.
