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Leeds snap up Schmeichel

Image: Schmeichel: Signs for Leeds

Leeds have made Kasper Schmeichel their first signing after gaining promotion to the Championship.

Young goalkeeper moves to Elland Road on two-year deal

Leeds United have made goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel their first signing after gaining promotion to the Championship. The 23-year-old Dane joins the Elland Road side on a free transfer after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with former club Notts County. Schmeichel played in 43 League Two games for the Magpies in a promotion-winning campaign last term, but the club could no longer afford his contract and it was decided he could leave. He was named PFA League Two Player of the Year and was delighted to sign a two-year deal with the Whites. "There wasn't a lot of decision making to do," he told LUTV. "I've been talking to clubs, and when the question was raised about interest from Leeds I said yes. "I've grown up in England, know a lot about English football, and I know Leeds is one of the biggest clubs in the country. "There were other opportunities, but Leeds has everything, it's a massive club and has a massive fanbase. "The infrastructure is here. Look at the training ground, the fanbase and the players. I think everything is in place. There's a great manager here and I can't wait to get started. "I hope that we will do really well and get promoted, but the Championship is a weird and different league. Look at Blackpool last season, who came from nowhere and got promoted. "I hope we start well and get some momentum going."

Experience

Schmeichel has had previous loan spells at Darlington, Bury, Falkirk, Cardiff and Coventry while under contract at Premier League outfit Manchester City. The former Denmark Under-21 international played eight times in the top-flight for City, and will compete for the No.1 jersey at Leeds with Shane Higgs. Leeds manager Simon Grayson was pleased to secure the services of Schmeichel after releasing fellow Danish stopper Casper Ankergren. "After releasing Casper Ankergren, we wanted to bring another goalkeeper in, and Kasper has had an excellent season at Notts County," he told the club's official website. "There were a lot of Premier League clubs interested in him, but he wanted to come here. "He's got fantastic ability, he's a winner, and he is determined to take this club forward. "He has some fantastic qualities and he will provide us with good competition for places which is what we want." Kasper's father Peter was a famous stalwart for Leeds' bitter rivals Manchester United, but the young keeper revealed his dad advised him to move to the West Yorkshire club. He added: "As soon as Leeds came in he asked me what I wanted to do and he said he couldn't agree more. He said it was the best club to be at now."

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