Championship outfit Leeds United have today confirmed on their official website the signing of Benfica forward Oliver Sarkic, who will team up with the club’s Under-23 squad.

The 20-year-old moved to the Portuguese giants back in 2015 after beginning his youth career in Belgium with Anderlecht, and although he has been on the books at Benfica for two years now, he has yet to make a first team appearance for the club.

However, the forward has proved his worth for the junior side with five goals in 43 games, and it’s form which earned him his first loan spell away from the 36 times league champions earlier this year, as he joined fellow Portuguese outfit Fafe, for whom he scored twice in 18 appearances.

And the Grimsby-born youngster now has the chance to prove his credentials in English football, as he has officially signed on loan at Championship side Leeds United until December 31.

Thomas Christiansen took over as head coach during the summer following Garry Monk’s resignation, and has made a wonderful start to life in the Elland Road hotseat with three wins and two draws from his first five Championship games, leaving them third in the table.

And although Sarkic won’t be part of the squad that hosts Burton Albion tomorrow, several impressive displays for the development side could see him earn a longer term contract with the Yorkshire giants in the future.

The Verdict: Leeds United were one of the busiest teams in the Championship during the summer window, both in terms of strengthening their senior squad as well as their development one.

And the signing of Oliver Sarkic from Benfica is another feather in their cap in what has been a stellar summer of business at Elland Road, and one that sets them up for potential success in both the present and the future.

The talented forward will go into Carlos Corberan’s Under-23 side in a bid to help them improve upon their disappointing start to the Professional Development league season, which has seen them pick up just one point from their opening three matches.

Leeds fans… what do you make of the news? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!