Leeds Capture Blackstock on Loan as Zaliukas Deal Moves Closer

Leeds United have confirmed that Nottingham Forest striker Dexter Blackstock has signed a three month loan-deal.

The deal has been in the pipeline for a number of days with local media reporting the move as early as Monday. Blackstock moves to Elland Road ahead of a busy Christmas period and will provide some competition for the likes of Ross McCormack, Matt Smith, Dom Poleon and Noel Hunt.

The 27-year-old has netted 83 goals in 306 appearances in his career, and Leeds boss Brian McDermott was keen to bring in Blackstock, a striker he knows well.

He told the official club site:

"I've known Dexter for a long time, being brought up in Oxford. I'm really pleased we've managed to secure his services.
"He's a really good age for a striker and I'm sure he has many good years in front of him. We are all really looking forward to working with him."

Leeds travel to Huddersfield on Saturday and Blackstock is expected to go straight into the squad. The early signs on the social media forums suggest a 50/50 split - some fans are happy with the deal and others seem to think he is too similar to are other options up top.

Personally, I think Blackstock can offer something - experience being one. He's played at this level for a number of years and can pop up with some vital goals. He's quite tall so could work alongside McCormack, and possibly rotate with Smith. Hunt is still to find his form and Poleon seems to be more effective off the bench.

Overall it's a decent signing and we could have done a lot worse in the market. As always we can't judge and we've got to hope he can hit the ground running and help us go on a run.

In other transfer news, and McDermott has admitted that a deal is close to sign Marius Žaliūka. The former Hearts defender has been on trial at the club and has impressed in training and in development games. McDermott has confirmed the club have offered him a deal as they look to bolster their defensive options.