Brian McDermott Praises GFH Capital After Clinching Fourth Summer Signing

Leeds United boss Brian McDermott has praised the club's owners GFH Capital for helping to secure a significant signing in their hopes of regaining their Premier League status in the form of Manchester United defender Scott Wootton on a three-year deal.

Questions have been raised over the owners' commitment to Leeds after it was revealed more than 50% of its stake in the Championship club has been sold off, with chairman Salah Nooruddin raising his share to over 10%.

This season marks 10 years since Leeds were relegated from the Premier League, and after appointing McDermott during the back-end of last season, the former Reading boss has made four signings in the summer transfer window.

The latest of which is former Old Trafford defender Wootton who joins a Leeds defence that has kept just one clean sheet in the club's opening four games of the season and shipped 66 goals last season, the eighth highest in the division.

"I'm delighted to have agreed the signing of Scott Wootton on a three-year deal," McDermott said. "He's a player who has played in the Champions League and someone we feel will develop with us in the coming years.

"I want to say thanks to the owners for doing the deal and bringing another young player to help us go forward."

Managing director David Haigh said: "The owners and board have said all along that we will support Brian in strengthening the first team squad in order to create a successful and sustainable future for Leeds United.

"Scott fits the bill perfectly and we welcome him as an exciting addition to the squad that the manager is shaping."

Matt Smith, Noel Hunt and Luke Murphy were signed earlier this summer in an attempt to strengthen Leeds' attempts to return to the top flight for the first time in a decade.

After an opening day win over Brighton and Hove Albion, Leeds have secured successive draws against Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday to leave them in mid-table after three games of the new season.

Wootton made four appearances for United last season including twice in the Champions League in both group matches against minnows CFR Cluj. His remaining appearances came in the League Cup ties against Newcastle United and Chelsea.

Despite new manager David Moyes' promise to continue the traditions of nurturing young players following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, Wootton is the fourth high-profile youngster to leave United this summer after Reece James, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Sam Johnstone all departed on loan.