Earlier today, Leeds United announced the departure of midfielder Liam Bridcutt - who has left for divisional rivals Nottingham Forest.
In the wake of copious speculation concerning his future at Leeds United, Scotland international Liam Bridcutt has today departed Elland Road and signed for divisional rivals Nottingham Forest.
Prior to joining United - initially on a loan basis in November 2015 - Bridcutt had been an established fixture within the Brighton and Hove Albion team between 2010 and 2014, being awarded the club's player of the season accolade in 2011-12 and 2012-13.
A subsequent move to Sunderland saw the player's form dwindle and decline, and before long Bridcutt returned to confront the rigours of Championship football once more in his aforementioned loan spell. He then moved on a permanent basis to Leeds in August 2016, for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year contract with the Whites.
Bridcutt made 25 appearances last season for United, in addition to captaining the side. The arrivals of Mateusz Klich and Vurnon Anita, coupled with the emergence of Kalvin Phillips, made the player uneasy and not at all certain as to whether he'd receive starts with regularity. Indeed, prior to today, Bridcutt had made just one appearance for United this season - appearing in Leeds' 4-1 decimation of Port Vale.
United head coach Thomas Christiansen made clear that he attempted, in vain, to dissuade Bridcutt from leaving the club but the offer of guaranteed first-team football under Mark Warburton allured the player - who has penned a three-year contract at the City Ground.
The fee paid to Leeds by Forest is rumoured to have been around £1,000,000 and it is noteworthy that United have offloaded a player who was earning a sizable wage. Leeds have an ample number of central midfielders, meaning that this sale is not critically detrimental to their aspirations and will thus provide additional funds as the club bid to replace Chris Wood.
Supporters of the Reds are understandably content at the capture of a seasoned second-tier campaigner for a fee that is less than the player's value (Bridcutt's contract at Elland Road was due to expire at the end of the season), but it is not a loss that will bring angst to very many Leeds United supporters.
Bridcutt leaves West Yorkshire having made 49 league appearances.