Transfer Update: Leeds sign Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Forshaw

After rumours surfaced in the past few days that Leeds United were interested in a Middlesbrough midfielder, Adam Forshaw, not Adam Clayton, has joined Leeds pending a medical tomorrow.

Forshaw leaves the Riverside after making only 11 appearances this season after representing Boro in the Premier League 34 times last season. He appeared to lose his place in the team under former Leeds manager Garry Monk, but after Monk was sacked earlier this season he still has not been restored to the first team under new Boro manager Tony Pulis.

Forshaw, a 26 year-old midfielder and product of the Everton youth system, brings experience to the central midfield position at Leeds. The two normal starters, Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips, have a combined age of 41, and while Leeds addressed the position during the summer transfer window, former FC Twente midfielder Matuesz Klich has not been the answer. Eunan O’Kane will be serving a three match ban for his headbutt against Ipswich Town, so the position is a little thin at the club right now.

Vurnon Anita and Conor Shaughnessy have both appeared in the team as midfielders, but Anita has been used almost exclusively at fullback this season, despite his history as a midfielder, and Shaughnessy looked much better playing at centre-back this season rather than as a midfielder.

Leeds also signed Japan international Yosuke Ideguchi this January, but he’s gone on loan to Cultural Leonesa for the rest of the season. It was rumoured that he was headed to Spain because of work permit issues, but he’s been granted one and headed to Leon anyway, leaving many fans and pundits scratching their heads trying to figure out the deal.

Leeds appear to have beaten Cardiff City to the signature of the former Brentford and Wigan Athletic midfielder. Hopefully he can help the Elland Road club reach its stated goal of the top six and a spot in the playoffs this season.