Striker Connor Wickham signs on loan for Leeds

Connor Wickham has spoken of joining Leeds United at a press conference interview.

Leeds United's new loan signing Connor Wickham says he jumped at the chance to join the Whites.

Wickham, who spent over two months at Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the season, could make his debut against QPR this Saturday.

Chris Dawkes reports:

New loan signing Connor Wickham is hoping to play his part in firing Leeds United towards the Play-Off places.

The England Under-21 international has joined the club from Sunderland on loan until the end of the season, and says he can’t wait to get started.

“I need to be playing football,” said the striker, who scored eight goals in 11 games while on loan at Sheffield Wednesday earlier this season.

“I’d been playing at Wednesday and I knew there was some interest in me, but I just needed to focus on playing football.

“Once I heard Leeds were interested in signing me there were no other choices and no doubt I wanted to come.

“I just want to play football and do the best I can, and hopefully push the team into the promotion picture.”

Leeds United have won the race to sign Sunderland striker Connor Wickham on loan until the end of the season.

The highly-rated 20-year-old, who cost the Wearside club £8m when he joined from Ipswich in 2011, boasts 28 goals from 128 appearances and has represented England at all levels up to Under-21.

“We are delighted to have signed Connor until the end of the season,” said United manager Brian McDermott.“There was a lot of competition for his signature, but he was very keen to come and play at Leeds United. He is another young English player who has everything in front of him.”

Wickham carved out a name for himself at Ipswich before earning a move to Premier League Sunderland. He has also had two loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday.

The striker is the club’s second signing in the space of a week, with Wickham following in the footsteps of full England international Jack Butland, who has joined on loan from Stoke and made an impressive debut at Middlesbrough last weekend.

Wickham will wear the number nine shirt.