We suppose it had to happen but it will come as a surprise and there will be sadness as Matt Smith joins Fulham late on transfer deadline day. Dominic Poleon had also moved to Smith's old club Oldham Athletic.
The 6'6" striker has been linked with a move to the capital during the summer with Millwall vying for his signature but it's struggling Fulham who have agreed a fee with Leeds, which at the time of writing is yet to be disclosed but surely Fulham haven't been duped to paying over the odds like they did for Ross McCormack? I'm hearing reports of £500k for Smith which is ridiculously cheap and if true as if we've been embarrassed into letting him go on the cheap because we did so well out of them with the Scot!
Smith was probably Brian McDermott's most successful signing, a free transfer from Oldham in June 2013 who weighed in with 12 goals although frustratingly Smith wasn't a starter under McDermott, the then Leeds boss seemed to prefer Noel Hunt who still awaits his first goal for Leeds!
Although it's disappointing to see Smith leave, I'm hoping this is another indicator that we are going to be playing a more cultured passing game under whoever our next new head coach would be. Smith is pretty strong in the air and won more than his fair share of headers and thrived under hoofball.
We wish him well as unlike McCormack he didn't kick up a fuss about wanting to leave, he's quite posh too so he will be at home at Craven Cottage amongst their luvvy fans like Hugh Grant.
Hopefully he would have had time to warn young Dominic Poleon about the legendary "yonner wimmin" from Oldham before he headed South. Poleon sadly has failed to make the breakthrough in successive regimes at Elland Road. I spoke to him after the Boro game and clearly he was fed up with his lack of opportunities. If he can add more goals to his game to match his pace then the Latics will have a bargain on their hands especially if the £200,000 fee I'm hearing is right! He's a nice lad and we wish him all the best.
Earlier Leeds completed the loan signings of striker Brian Montenegro from Uruguayan side National and highly rated Brazilian Adyran who signs from Flamengo having been on loan at Massimo Cellino''s old side Calgiari, we've also added 19 year old Dario Del Fabro from Massimos old empire, also on loan with the option to buy. Leeds have also made Senegal striker Souleyman Doukaras loan move permanent from Catania Calcio.