Leeds United sign defender Junior Firpo from Barcelona

Dominican Republic-born player arrives at club on four-year deal

Leeds United have signed Junior Firpo from Barcelona. AP

Leeds United have signed defender Junior Firpo on a four-year deal from La Liga giants Barcelona for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

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The Press Association reported that Leeds paid around £12.8 million ($17.73 m) for the 24-year-old.

"The Whites have beaten off competition from a number of clubs to secure the services of the 24-year-old, who joins from Spanish outfit FC Barcelona for an undisclosed fee," Leeds said in a statement.

"Following a period of quarantine and completion of his medical, the full-back signed a four-year deal at Elland Road, running until the summer of 2025."

The Dominican Republic-born player arrived in the city last week and had his medical on Monday after spending five days in quarantine.

🎙️ "I'm really happy to be here" Watch Junior's first interview with @Skrill

— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 6, 2021

Firpo made his mark at Real Betis before moving to Barca on a five-year contract in 2019. He played 41 times for the Catalan side in the last two campaigns, helping them win the Copa Del Rey last season.

Firpo is Leeds' third signing of the summer after turning Jack Harrison's loan spell from Manchester City into a permanent deal and picking up teenage winger Amari Miller from Birmingham last week.

Leeds are looking to strengthen their squad after Ezgjan Alioski left the club on Monday at the end of his contract following a four-year spell.

The club finished ninth in the Premier League last season and begin the new season away to Manchester United at Old Trafford on August 14.

Updated: July 6th 2021, 1:12 PM