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New Leeds United striker Robert Snodgrass has being speaking about his move to Elland Road from Scottish Division 1 side Livingston. 

“This move is a dream come true,” Robert said on the official website.

“There were a few other clubs from the south that were interested, but this is a club of big stature.

“Over the years a lot of Scots have done well here, and I want to try and get to the next level now.”

Although out of contract Robert joined up with the Livingston squad for pre-season training on 12 July and so has some training under his belt.

Robert will part of the squad for the Barnet game along with trialist strikers Luciano Becchio and Marcus Haber who are fighting for the remaining striking berth in McAllister’s squad.

Scottish U-21 international striker Robert Snodgrass has joined Leeds United, on a three-year contract, from Livingston (not Livingstone as the official website spells it!).

As we revealed yesterday, although Snoddy is a free agent Livvy are entitled to a fee for their former trainee because of his age. 

Thankfully, Livingston and Leeds have sensibly agreed compensation for the 20-year old rather than letting it be settled by a tribunal.

See our previous story on Snodgrass for an exclusive career stats breakdown - including his year in the Scottish Premier League.

Snodgrass joins new boys Andy Robinson, Alan Sheehan, and Enoch Showunmi as the fourth signing by Gary McAllister, during the close season, as he reshapes Dennis Wise’s squad in his own image.

Anthony Elding finally gave up playing the reluctant bride and gave in to the attentions of ardent suitor Crewe Alexandra.

He signed a three year contract with the Railwaymen earlier today.

The transfer fee is reported to be six figures but it is unlikely that Leeds recovered the £200,000 that they paid for Elding. A discount will have had to be made t offset the difference between wage levels at the two clubs.

Elding turned down Crewe to come to Leeds in January from Stockport County.

He was then pursued by Crewe in the early part of the close season. The clubs agreed a transfer fee and Elding met with Crewe officals but personal terms could not be agreed and Elding returned to Elland Road to fight for his place.

However, McAllister made it clear that he did not feature in his plans and the message was driven home when Elding was excluded from the current tour of Ireland.

With Leeds being linked with Marcus Haber, Robert Snodgrass, Jay Bothroyd and Luciano Becchio just this week Elding saw the writing on the wall and departed gracefully to Crewe where he is undoubtedly wanted by the manager.

Robert Snodgrass, the 20 year-old former Livingston striker who is now a free agent, is reported to have been in talks with Leeds manager, Gary McAllister.

 

Scottish U-21 international Snodgrass has been with Livingston since signing as a trainee in July 2003. Livingston, relegated from the SPL in 2005-06, finished mid-table in Scottish Division 1 last season.

Snodgrass played 16 games for Livvy in their Scottish Premier League season (2005-06), scoring three times. In 2005-06 he scored four times in 25 Scottish Premier League matches.

He spent the latter half of the 2006-07 season on loan at Scottish Division 2 side Stirling, where he netted 7 goals in 15 appearances.

Last year, playing as a left winger he managed 10 goals in 37 games and also picked up a red card in an bad tempered game against Clyde which saw three red cards in total.

However, the red card was his first and only one of his career and seems to have been an aberration. Other than that indiscretion, he picked up just four bookings during the rest of the season and he does seem to have averaged just one booking every ten games or so through his career.

Because of his age Livingston would be entitled to compensation from any club that signed him.

Snodgrass is just one of many Scottish players linked with, or without, cause to Leeds United during the close season because of McAllister’s standing in the Scottish game.