Leeds United boost as highly-rated midfield target can sign pre-contract in January

Leeds United have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Sturm Graz midfielder James Jeggo, as the 25-year-old is free to sign a pre-contract in January having decided to see out his contract which ends next summer.

The Peacocks alongside Middlesbrough and Hull City are keeping tabs on the Australian, with a likely switch to English football on the books having spent all his playing days in the Austrian Bundesliga and A-League.

With 51 league appearances for Sturm Graz, Jeggo has enough playing experience at a top level, and could follow in the footsteps of Huddersfield midfielder and compatriot Aaron Mooy, who has made a name for himself in England since arriving from Melbourne City last summer.

While defensive midfield isn’t a department Leeds are lacking depth, adding a combative player in the form of Jeggo to the ranks won’t be a bad idea.

The former Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United man has English parents, so a UK work permit isn’t an issue.

However, other Championship suitors will very much likely give Leeds a run for the money as far as landing the highly-rated Jeggo, who emerged as A-League’s Young Footballer of the Year in 2014–15, goes.