Leeds snap up Connor Wickham on loan

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.