According to well respected Leeds United journalist Phil Hay, Rob Green is going to move to Huddersfield Town and Leeds will sign Andy Lonergan from Wolves to replace him as the back-up to Felix Wiedwald.
Quick one from me - Green to Huddersfield looking likely. Replacement lined up is ex Leeds keeper Andy Lonergan, now at Wolves. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) August 25, 2017
If it all goes as planned, Lonergan is expected to sign Monday. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) August 25, 2017
The move is a good one for Rob Green as he was only going to be in reserve at Leeds. He will do the same job at Huddersfield but will definitely get an increase in wages for his trouble. As the former England international is 37-years-old, if he isn’t going to play he may as well try and make as much money as possible towards the end of his career.
His replacement, the 33-year-old Lonergan, will be familiar to Leeds fans having had a one-year spell at Elland Road for the 2011/12 season. He made 38 appearances that season (35 in the league) as Leeds finished 14th under first Simon Grayson (yay), and then Neil Warnock (boo).
Not particularly happy with Green going, but happier knowing we have a competent replacement coming in. Lonergan's not a bad keeper.
— PG (@HarteandSoul) August 25, 2017
Lonergan did fine at Elland Road but was replaced after one season by Paddy Kenny, he was sold on to Bolton, then Fulham, before spending last season at Wolves where he played 15 games last season.
Tbf Lonergan isn't that bad as backup but he is a massive downgrade from Greeno
— Jake (@JakeLUFC_) August 25, 2017
It is fair to say that Leeds fans overall are split about the news. There are a lot of Leeds fans who think Green should still be number one ahead of Wiedwald, and most agree Lonergan is not as good as Green.
However, as either Green or Lonergan would be in reserve, this move shouldn’t make too much difference to Leeds’ chances this season. Also, you would expect Lonergan’s wages to be considerably smaller than the wage the club are currently paying to Green. The club may even make some money from the Green deal although I wouldn’t expect it to be much.
If green would stay great - but he’s no interest in a coaching job and Lonergan was known for helping our younger lads. Solid move by club
— . (@deancore) August 25, 2017
This will put the end to the calls for Wiedwald to be dropped (despite three consecutive clean sheets) and may mean that Bailey Peacock-Farrell is once again made available for loan. I have been saying all season that Peacock-Farrell needs first team football this season so once the uncertainty around Green disappears hopefully he will get that.
What do you think of this deal? Let me know in the comments or @mightywhitespod or @ThruItAllLUFC on twitter.