Leeds United are set to pay a “small financial compensation” fee to sign teenage goalkeeper Robbie Cook, according to The West Australian.
The Australian newspaper reported via their website on 5 January that Cook, 17, has signed a three-year deal with the Championship leaders after leaving A-League side Perth Glory.
It is understood that Leeds fended off a late bid by Birmingham City to hijack the deal while Manchester United were also reportedly keen on the young shot-stopper.
Leeds complete new signing to kick off January transfer window
Cook is hardly going to be replacing the under-fire Illan Meslier in Daniel Farke’s first team but his arrival is an encouraging one.
The Whites have regularly had exciting Aussies play for their side in the last few decades.
From Mark Viduka to Patrick Kisnorbo and from Harry Kewell to Neil Kilkenny, some have been absolute stars so hopefully Cook can get filed into the same category as Viduka and Kewell – and less in the one that features Danny Milosevic and Jacob Burns.
According to The West Australian, Cook had a trial with Sunderland last year with other “high-profile” clubs in England eyeing him up.
That doesn’t happen for any old talent on the other side of the world. There must be some serious excitement about this young lad.
For now, it’ll all be about settling into a new country, getting used to his new surroundings and finding his feet at Thorp Arch and in the Leeds youth system.
Welcome, Robbie.
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