Joe Gelhardt explains how Tom Pearce sold him on move to Leeds

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Joe Gelhardt has told Leeds United’s official website that Tom Pearce sold him on a move to Elland Road after speaking to the left-back about the newly-promoted Premier League side.

Leeds announced 18-year-old Gelhardt as their fourth summer signing, just moments after agreeing a deal to sign Jack Harrison on a third successive season-long loan from Manchester City.

It comes after both Illan Meslier and Helder Costa previously signed permanent deals after excellent loan spells from Lorient and Wolves. Gelhardt, an England Under-18 international, has clocked up 21 senior Wigan outings.

It is believed that Gelhardt has agreed a £1million move to Leeds – as per the Sun – signing a four-year deal at Elland Road. He stated that Pearce, a former Wigan teammate and ex-Leeds academy product, convinced him.

“I’ve seen a few young players come through the ranks at Leeds, Tom Pearce was at Wigan with me and he told me a lot about the club which helped me a lot and it was a big factor for me,” Gelhardt said.

Gelhardt is one of a number of players that has been linked with a move away from Wigan. Sheffield United are being strongly linked with a cut-price move for Antonee Robinson, while striker Kieffer Moore is due to leave.

The Whites are expected to remain busy in the window – after reportedly having a £22million bid rejected for Ben White over the weekend. Fulham teenager Cody Drameh is also being linked with Elland Road.