Leeds United set to announce Sam Byram signing as defender spotted at Elland Road for media obligations

Sam Byram is set to be announced as a new Leeds United signing “imminently” after the player was spotted at Elland Road with a family member, according to Last Word on Sports.

The outlet reported on its website Friday (4 August) that the defender is expected to “complete media obligations” ahead of being unveiled as a permanent member of the Whites squad.

According to a combination of “sources and eyewitnesses” Byram, 29, is mooted to become the third signing of the transfer window after Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea and Karl Darlow from Newcastle.

The former Leeds United academy product played under Daniel Farke at Norwich City and has been training with the Whites, as well as featuring in pre-season friendlies.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reported (3 August) that Byram would need to be registered by Friday in order to be available for the Championship opener against Cardiff City at Elland Road on Sunday (6 August).

Incoming

 

It was always the logical outcome once Byram started to actually feature for Leeds United during the preseason that he would be added to the squad at least on a short-term basis.

Farke’s incoming transfer business has been hampered by a combination of the late confirmation of his appointment and the 49ers takeover, and the fact that outgoing players have nearly all been on loan and so have not generated transfer fees.

With left-back, an ongoing problem position at Elland Road, with Junior Firpo expected to leave but so far still a Whites player and Leo Hjelde relatively unproven, Byram’s versatility will be useful.

Having apparently proven his fitness to a sufficient degree he should be able to cover both full-back spots and potentially fill in as a centre-back.

Max Wober’s late loan exit, on top of similar moves for Robin Koch, Rasmus Kristensen, and Diego Llorente, has left the defense looking light, and with an offer apparently materializing for captain Liam Cooper to to go to Saudi Arabia there is scope for it to become even more sparse.

But if Byram was at the stadium on Friday he may even be in line to feature in the season opener if the club managed to get the necessary paperwork through in time.

In other Leeds United news, five Premier League clubs have now been in contact to take a first-team Whites player before the window shuts.