Leeds announce first signing of deadline day as Ao Tanaka number, Hull availability confirmed

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Leeds United have announced their first signing of deadline day with Ao Tanaka now confirmed as a new Elland Road player, joining the club from German side Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Daniel Farke’s side are expected to make at least two new signings on deadline day in the form of Japan star Tanaka, and Swiss defender Isaac Schmidt. Tanaka, 25, is believed to have joined for a £3.4m figure.

The 27-time Japan star has long been linked with a move to Leeds with Farke said to be a long-term fan of the three-time J-League champion. His deal at Dusseldorf was due to expire at the end of the season.

His manager at Dusseldorf, Daniel Thioune, has said that Tanaka has not featured in Dusseldorf’s last two training sessions and would not be facing Hannover 96 on Friday evening with a Leeds move now done.

• READ MORE: Japan expert Dan Orlowitz given us the lowdown on new signing Tanaka

Leeds confirm Tanaka deal and his new shirt number

Farke was believed to want a new midfielder able to score from deep. It comes after Ilia Gruev, Archie Gray and Glen Kamara only managed two goals between them last season, with Kamara and Gray gone.

Only Joe Rothwell has been added and Leeds have now solved their lack of options and goals from deep in midfield. Leeds confirm that Tanaka has signed a four-year deal at Elland Road, until June 2028.

Leeds also confirmed in their official statement that Tanaka will wear the no.22 shirt, a number worn by Archie Gray last season during his loan. Joel Robles the season prior, and then Jack Harrison before that.

Whether Tanaka will be available to play against Hull on Saturday

EFL rules state that clubs must finalise a deal and get paperwork in order at midday the day before a game. With Leeds facing Hull on Saturday, The Whites had to finalise a deal for Tanaka by 12pm today.

With confirmation and the hilarious clip of Freddie Mercury screaming “ay oh” to a packed crowd coming before 12pm, it looks as if Leeds will be able to include Tanaka in their squad to take on Hull tomorrow.

Whether Farke will indeed name Tanaka in his side, remains to be seen. But the chances are high given that Dan James and Patrick Bamford are both injured and unavailable to face this weekend’s opponents.