Nigerian teenage centreback Leonard Ngenge joins Leeds United from Remo Stars

ENGLISH Premier League giants Leeds united have signed Nigerian teenage centreback Leonard Ngenge from local clubside Remo Stars in a two-and-a-half year deal with will keep him in Yorkshire until the end of the 2006/07 season.

Eager to replicate their glory years of the 1970s and more recently in the late 1990s and late 2000s, Leeds are currently playing with three centrebacks in an aggressive 3-5-2 formation. This had put pressure on manager Daniel Farke to look for depth in this department, as suspensions and injuries could easily scupper his plans.

As a result, Leeds have signed Ngenge, 18, who will join the club's academy for now,  hoping to be called up to the senior team before the end of his contract.  Ngenge is a regular for Remo Stars, who won the Nigerian league title last season and he also has two senior caps to his name.

Although he did not make the squad for the recent African Cup of Nations, Ngenge has played twice for the local home-based Eagles in the Caf African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament. He played 25 times for Remo’s league rivals Ikorodu United before his summer switch and has made seven senior appearances for his new team this season.

A Leeds United spokesman said: “Leeds United are pleased to announce the signing of Leonard Ngenge, who joins the club’s academy after penning a deal until the end of the 2026/27 season. The defender makes the move to West Yorkshire from his native Nigeria, having made seven appearances in all competitions this term for Remo Stars FC.

“The centre-back has featured twice for his country at senior level, making his debut in a clash with Senegal last year before also facing Sudan. Everyone at Leeds United would like to welcome Leonard to the club, where he will link up with the academy setup.”