Barnsley have confirmed the permanent signing of Leeds United centre-back Aapo Halme who moves to Oakwell for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old signed a three-year deal with the Tykes with the option of an extra year after it became clear that he was not in Marcelo Bielsa's immediate plans at Elland Road.

Last season saw him make just four appearances in all competitions for the Whites although he remained a regular in the club's impressive under-23 side.

After the season-long loan deal for Ben White was completed it became even more apparent how limited the Fin's future would have been with Leeds.

He becomes Daniel Stendel's sixth signing of the summer after Samuel Sahin-Radlinger, Brad Collins, Mads Juel Andersen, Toby Sibbick and Luke Thomas all made the move to the Yorkshire club.

The German has been in need of defensive cover after the departure of last season's first-choice pairing Liam Lindsay and Ethan Pinnock to Stoke City and Brentford respectively.

The verdict

This is a solid signing for Barnsley but also a risk in the short-term.

With Lindsay and Pinnock both departing you get the feeling that Barnsley need a ready-made centre-back pairing for what could prove a tricky season and Halme is yet to prove he is that man.

But, he is only 21 so has the potential become an excellent and important player for the Tykes in the next couple of seasons.

He will also arrive with a point to prove having been bumped down the pecking order at Leeds which could work in his new club's favour.