Much of the talk surrounding Noah Okafor’s move to Leeds United this week has been whether the Swiss star will be coming to Leeds as a winger, or a striker.
On Thursday at midday, Leeds United announced the signing of the 25-year-old Switzerland international from AC Milan. A four-year deal has been penned with Okafor believed to have cost Leeds a fee of £18m.
Daniel Farke has made it clear that he wants new attacking reinforcements and since his comments in the public domain, Leeds have brought in Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free, and then the signing of Okafor.
Leeds were convinced by Okafor thanks to his performance for Milan in Dublin, and his two goals in a 4-2 win over Liverpool this summer. But throughout his career, Okafor has chopped and changed positions.
Noah Okafor makes it clear over where he will play for Leeds
Signed by Jesse Marsch at Salzburg, – Marsch actually wanted Okafor at Leeds – he largely played up front for the Austrian side, alongside another. Hence his 57 goals and assists in 110 Salzburg appearances.
At Milan, Okafor was a bit of both, often coming off the bench in either position. Rafael Leao was always first choice and it left Okafor feeding off scraps. Now, he joins a Premier League side where he will start.
Speaking to LUTV, Okafor says he is a left-winger: “My favourite position is the left. I can play as a striker, or as one of two strikers, my position is left wing. This is where I can put most quality on the pitch.”
Will Noah Okafor be available to play for Leeds against Arsenal?
The rule states that Premier League clubs must register signings the last working day before a game at 12pm, in order to register them. Had Leeds been playing on Friday night, his availability would be unclear.
But, Leeds play on Saturday night and that means they will have needed to register Okafor by 12pm on Friday. Given the announcement came at 12pm on Thursday, it looks likely Okafor is available if needed.
Farke often likes to bed his players in before chucking them into the side. Calvert-Lewin, for example, was not even in the squad to play against Everton. Okafor though, is most-likely to be on the Leeds bench.
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