There is a big summer coming up for Leeds United, as they look to build on their much-improved 2016/17 campaign and build on the success Garry Monk had at Elland Road before his departure.

Monk has left Leeds for Middlesbrough and Thomas Christiansen has recently taken over as head-coach at Elland Road, with the task of taking the Whites to the next level.

One of the first tasks Christiansen will face is adding to his current squad that finished seventh in the Sky Bet Championship last season, with hope it will be enough for Leeds to break into the top-six next year.

There will be a number of arrivals at Elland Road this summer, that is for sure, but their most important signing this summer was made back in February, when Leeds confirmed Pontus Jansson would be signing for the club permanently in July, following the end of his loan deal.

After a few complications, Leeds have been cleared to complete the permanent signing of Jansson next month, which is a welcome boost for everyone associated with the club, after a difficult start to the summer.

Jansson was a rock for Leeds last season, and following his arrival on-loan from Torino, he completely reenergised the club and was seen by many as the reason the Whites competed for a place in the play-offs.

The Swedish international made 34 appearances for Leeds, scoring three vitally important goals and becoming a cult-hero in the process.

With Monk leaving early this summer, and Kyle Bartley – Jansson’s partner in central defence last season – looking unlikely to return to Elland Road, the pending arrival of Jansson will be a major positive for Leeds.

Leeds need to show ambition this summer and back their new boss Christiansen in the transfer window, to give the 44-year old the best possible chance of building on Monk’s work, but there is a serious argument that the Whites have already made their best signing in Jansson.

If the 26-year old can rediscover the form he showed last season, and bring the same energy to Elland Road, Leeds could once again find themselves fighting for promotion, even with a change in the dugout.