Alex Cairns’ only Leeds United outing was a huge 5-0 defeat as Jonjo Shelvey netted hat-trick

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Leeds United confirmed their second signing of the summer in the form of goalkeeper Alex Cairns on Monday, a move which sees Cairns return to his boyhood club.

The 31-year-old stopper returns after nine years away from Elland Road having left for Chesterfield back in 2015. Spells at Rotherham and Hartlepool followed, before Cairns earned his big break at Fleetwood.

Across seven seasons, Cairns amassed a huge 240 appearances before an initial loan to Salford City in January 2023 was turned permanent last summer. He clocked up 77 appearances for the League Two side.

Cairns joins Leeds for a ‘nominal fee’ as reported by Graham Smyth, signing a two-year deal. He comes in as a replacement for Kristoffer Klaesson to act as third-choice goalkeeper, after Klaesson left for Poland.

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13 years ago, Cairns made his only Leeds United appearance

Cairns only managed one senior appearance for Leeds having come through the Thorp Arch academy, and it came way back in 2011. Teenage Cairns was brought on as a sub at Elland Road in a huge 5-0 loss.

When Leeds fans hear the name Paul Rachubka, they will recall his disastrous display in a massive defeat to Blackpool. Jonjo Shelvey netted a hat-trick as Cairns replaced Rachubka at half-time, already 3-0 down.

If and when Cairns gets to pull on a Leeds shirt again, he will be hoping for a bit more luck this time with Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow first and second choice, even if the 5-0 loss to Blackpool was not his doing.

The 49ers are proving to be effective in terms of incoming

So far this summer, Leeds have effectively made three new additions. Brenden Aaronson looked as if his future would be far away from Elland Road this summer but instead, he has returned ahead of next term.

Rodon has signed permanently in a deal that has delighted fans, with Archie Gray going in the opposite direction and Leeds earning a £30m profit. Now, Cairns has joined, around 24 hours after Klaesson’s exit.

Leeds are getting on with their business behind the scenes quickly and efficiently. While getting players out the door is hard work, when it comes to new signings, Leeds are doing it as quickly as possible.