Leeds United pick up ex-West Ham starlet Sonny Perkins

Leeds United have announced the signing of Sonny Perkins on a three-year deal, following Perkins’ decision to leave West Ham earlier this summer - leaving at the end of his scholarship on July 1st.

Leeds have put a lot of focus on buying and developing careers with a view to finding the next starlets of The Premier League.

Darko Gyabi joined earlier this month to provide competition for the likes of Lewis Bate, and now Sonny Perkins joins on a three-year deal with the price to be decided by tribunal if the clubs cannot come to an agreement on their own. The 18-year-old offers competition for Mateo Joseph up front with Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood stepping up to the first team. Not only that, Perkins is a versatile player who has slotted into central midfield and either wing.

Perkins left West Ham this summer after his contract expired, and had a choice between Leeds and a move to his boyhood club, Spurs. Despite the allure of working with Antonio Conte and Harry Kane, The Whites have managed to trump the competition.

Perkins made his Premier League and Europa League debuts last season under David Moyes, a big admirer of the youngster. He scored 12 goals in 21 appearances in last season’s Premier League 2 campaign while providing a solitary assist. Plus, he has six England U-18 caps to his name, scoring twice.

Over the past two seasons in all competitions (including limited senior minutes), Perkins has managed 21 goals and five assists in 58 appearances, primarily as a centre-forward. If we trim that down to The Premier League 2 and Under-18 Premier League, he’s scored 19 goals and assisted give in 53 matches. Impressive returns from the youngster who will be looking to take the next steps in a promising career.