United Get Hall Pass

Leeds United today completed the loan signing of Southend winger Ryan Hall, with a view to making the deal permanent in January.

The product of the Crystal Palace academy was in superb form last season for League Two Southend, finding the net on 14 occasions as well as providing 25 assists for his grateful teammates. However, off the field issues meant that the winger became available for transfer and after being unable to agree transfers to both Blackpool and Peterborough United, Hall has now put pen to paper on a loan deal at Leeds United.

Manager Neil Warnock had the following to say:

"I've known Ryan for many years and was a big fan of his at Crystal Palace.

All credit to him to come back into my thoughts. I'm looking for a player of his quality. I don't know if he can do it at this level yet, but he offers something different in the squad. He can give us an option where we could change a game.

I'm not right every time, but I do forgive and forget. I always remember one player who had everything but had a few off the field problems. I told him he could go either way. To the top or otherwise. Unfortunately it was the latter.

Ryan has to put his own house in order, but this is a great opportunity for him. He needs to get away from the South and grasp the opportunity we've given him. He can take people on for fun. I love people who can do that. It's nice to see. We have a wide pitch and we need people like that who can open defences up."

Hall goes straight into contention for Neil Warnock's squad to face Sheffield Wednesday and will wear squad number 30 for Leeds United.

Hall had the following to say about signing for the Whites:

"I've been given a second opportunity by the gaffer and I want to grab it with both hands.

I had him at Crystal Palace and he was a great manager, but I got into a bit of trouble in the wrong place and he had to let go of me.

He said to me then 'go get your head down and do what you do best' and he's come back for me.

It's a great step and hopefully I can show people what I can do. It's a massive chance for me.

Once I heard there was an opportunity to come here I felt things would go well and I want to take the opportunity to try and play.

The gaffer has told me to keep my head down. It's time I settled down and played. I would say that I've changed. I just want that chance to push on now and say 'this is me.' My family are over the moon I'm here and I want to make them proud.

Hopefully I can get balls in the box, gets shots off, and score as many as I can. Neil Warnock played me in the Championship before so I know I can play there. I'll be patient and wait for my chance. I'll keep doing extras in terms of topping up my fitness"