Joe Gelhardt became the sixth first-team player to leave Leeds United earlier this month, after five were temporarily shifted out of the door at Elland Road in the summer.
Gelhardt’s three appearances, only one of which he has started, pushed him towards the Leeds United exit door and he has moved to Hull City. The striker made his debut off the bench at Millwall on Saturday.
He becomes the sixth player to leave Leeds on loan this season. Jack Harrison and Rasmus Kristensen left Leeds on loan after their relegation loan clause reactivated in the summer, joining Everton and Frankfurt.
Meanwhile, Sam Greenwood and Darko Gyabi remained in the Championship with Preston and Plymouth while Sonny Perkins rejoined boyhood club Leyton Orient after struggling to make it work at Elland Road.
Richie Wellens confirms plans for Leeds United’s Sonny Perkins
Signed from West Ham in the summer of 2022 during Jesse Marsch’s era, Rene Maric described Perkins as “extremely talented” after a goal against Cardiff in the FA Cup. But he managed just four Leeds outings.
Leyton Orient are unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions, winning 10 times. Perkins has had a hand in 10 goals in 28 games and Orient manager Richie Wellens has confirmed he wants to do a deal.
Wellens outlined his plans for the remainder of January to The Newham Recorder: “We’re negotiating with a centre forward and a midfielder in the no.10 role. Want to sign Sonny Perkins on a permanent basis.”
Why Leeds won’t get much for Sonny Perkins even if they sell him
Back in 2022, Perkins agreed a slightly controversial move from West Ham to Leeds and put pen to paper on a three-year contract at Elland Road. Two and a half years later, Perkins is nearing the end of that deal.
Indeed, that striker is out of contract at the end of the season. Leyton Orient will have to agree a fee with Leeds for Perkins before they can approach him but he will leave Leeds on a free at the end of the season.
That means Leeds are likely to let Perkins go for a cut-price fee to avoid losing him for nothing at the end of the season, and given he arrived on a free transfer, Perkins will surely be allowed to leave for peanuts.
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