Leeds agree deal to sign Japan international: Yosuke Ideguchi to undergo medical next week
LEEDS UNITED have confirmed a deal is in place to sign Japan international Yosuke Ideguchi.
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It emerged last month that Elland Road chiefs struck an initial £500,000 plus add-ons fee with Gamba Osaka for midfielder Ideguchi.
The 21-year-old will travel to West Yorkshire next week to undergo a medical and put the finishing touches to the transfer.
Ideguchi does not qualify for a United Kingdom work permit, despite featuring 10 times for the Japanese national team.
But Leeds have confirmed he will spend the rest of the season with Spanish partner club Cultural Leonesa once the deal is over the line.
The Championship club have also moved for Ideguchi now so he can continue playing for the rest of the season after the Japanese J1 League campaign ended last month.
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He scored nine goals in 96 appearances for Gamba Osaka and made his international debut for Japan earlier this year.
A move to Leeds could put his World Cup hopes at risk.
But, speaking last month, he said: ”Some have said that it is better to wait until after the World Cup.
"But I want to go my own way and go as soon as possible.
”If I go, I think that this is a place where I can learn and improve as a player.
“I want to go early.”
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Ideguchi’s imminent signing follows hot on the heels of the Aapo Halme’s arrival from HJK Helsinki.
Central defender Halme, 19, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal.
He will initially link up with Leeds’ Under-23 team.
