Sources: Leeds United agree deal with ex-Celtic man Penrice

Former Celtic scout Gary Penrice has agreed a deal to join Leeds United, sources have told Football Insider.

The 59-year-old previously held the role of chief scout at Celtic Park and is now set to join the scouting and transfer team at Elland Road.

Penrice has vast experience in recruitment, having worked in the football industry since 2006.

He has previously held roles at Everton, Leicester City, Stoke City, Queens Park Rangers and Celtic.

Nick Hammond, who is working as an interim football adviser at Leeds this summer, has brought in Penrice having previously worked alongside him at Celtic.

Hammond previously worked as the Head of Football Operations at Celtic and strongly recommended that Penrice be brought on board for Leeds’ project.

The Whites have seen a number of changes to backroom staff this month following the takeover of the club by the 49ers Enterprises.

Leeds confirmed via their club website that goalkeeper coach Marcos Abad had left the club, while coaches Guillermo Alonso, Paco Gallardo and Jordan Davison also left their position.

Penrice will be tasked with helping the Whites identify and recruit talent worthy of competing for the Championship next season.

The Whites have already offloaded nine first-team players this summer and are in the market for new signings to back new manager Daniel Farke.

Former Stoke manager Tony Pulis gave a glistening review of Penrice’s scouting abilities prior to his appointment at Celtic.

“Gary has great experience both home and abroad, with a huge network of contacts,” Pulis told The Athletic. “Celtic would be appointing a very able man, it would be an excellent appointment.”

In other news, Leeds United trying to ‘protect their fanbase’ as deal agreed