Russell Martin has told Hampshire Live that Leeds United have made an “outstanding” signing in the form of Joel Piroe – as the Southampton boss welcomes the Whites to the south coast on Saturday.
Leeds go to Southampton this weekend after six games unbeaten in the Championship, securing four clean sheets in a row. A 3-0 win over Watford last time out. Southampton have lost four games in a row.
Including, a 5-0 loss to Sunderland and a 4-1 defeat to the other of the three relegated sides, in the form of Leicester City. Martin is already under pressure, despite impressing as Swansea City manager.
Martin reunites with Piroe on Saturday. Piroe arrived at Swansea in July 2021, a month before Martin had been given the reigns as manager of the Welsh club. The duo combined well, Piroe shining for Swansea.
In 96 games for Swansea, Piroe netted 46 times. Leeds spent an initial £10.5m – and agreed a deal that could reach £16m – to lure him to Elland Road. He has four goals in five games and Martin is a big fan.
“Outstanding player,” Martin told Hampshire Live. “Great character. A really top finisher. He understood and bought into everything we wanted to do. Made it clear what we expected, he was amazing for us.
“It’s no surprise to me that he’s one of the best strikers in the Championship and one of the best scorers in the Championship. It’s no surprise he has started out in the way he has (for Leeds),” Martin continued.
Martin: Leeds have made outstanding signing in form of Piroe
Wales Online shared how Leeds managed to knock Southampton out of the race for 24-year-old Piroe in the summer – saying it was through perseverance and ‘working around the clock’ with Piroe’s camp.
Thank goodness The 49ers worked hard to get a deal over the line. Piroe looks like the perfect signing in attack to take Leeds back into the Premier League. A clinical finisher we have lacked in recent season.
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