Keith Downie: Karl Darlow could make Leeds United debut v Hearts on Sunday
New Leeds United signing Karl Darlow could be set to make his debut against Hearts in a friendly on Sunday (30 July), according to Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie.
The Whites announced the signing [LUFC Website, 29 July] of the 32-year-old goalkeeper on a three-year deal from Newcastle United with Daniel Farke desperately on the prowl for a new goalkeeper to add to his new team.
And Downie, taking to his personal Twitter account on Saturday evening (29 July), Darlow is expected to be Farke’s new number one goalkeeper, at the expense of Illan Meslier, and could be in line to make his debut on Sunday against Hearts in Scotland.
He tweeted: “Leeds United have completed the signing of Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow.
“The 32-year-old has penned a 3-year deal for around £400k.
“Darlow had spent 9 years on Tyneside. He’s likely to be no.1 at Leeds.
“Could make his debut at Hearts tomorrow.”
Quality addition
With Darlow arriving through the doors, Farke will now have two quality and very capable goalkeepers between the sticks at his disposal next season, but it seems as if Darlow will be the German’s favoured option.
What message does that leave for Illan Meslier who’s been attracting several interest from elsewhere but none of those interested parties have firmed their interest as of yet?
And Meslier could well be given a kick of the backside as Darlow certainly possesses as much character and quality as the Frenchman to be an instant starter.
Ultimately, strong competition for places is no bad thing and Farke will certainly be licking his lips at his current goalkeeping options right now. But the ball certainly remains in Meslier’s court to prove himself again, following his struggles and mistakes late on last season.
The Frenchman is clearly an exciting and promising young goalkeeper, but it’s certainly make-or-break time for him right now, will he use Darlow’s arrival as fuel to improve or will he sulk and sink his development even further?
Because one guarantee is, that Darlow will surely not give up his number one spot without a fight.
In other Leeds news, one club manager has spoken out regarding the Whites’ interest in a Brazilian playmaker.