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Bruce Completes Leeds Move
Bruce Completes Leeds Move
Friday, 30th Jul 2010 17:12

Leeds United have confirmed the signing of defender Alex Bruce on a two-year contract with an option of a third season. The clubs agreed a fee of £200,000 rising to £300,000 on appearances earlier in the week, Bruce having previously been close to joining Sheffield United.

Whites boss Simon Grayson said: "Alex is going to be a good member of the squad. He can play at centre-back, right-back and as a holding midfielder.

"We felt we were short in those areas at this moment and we're delighted he's come. He's got a lot of experience, he's played in the Championship and the Premiership and he's what we want - a player who knows the division, is hungry and wants to be successful."

Grayson says he first targeted the Republic of Ireland international last year: "We tried to sign him a year ago when we were in League One.

"Ipswich wouldn't let him go, then we got a call a week ago to say he was available, and everything got agreed."

Bruce confirmed that he had been close to joining Sheffield United last week: "I went to Sheffield to see them last weekend. Then I got a phone call telling me about Leeds' interest and my mind was all on coming here.

"A fee had to be agreed with Ipswich, but once that was all done. Everyone knows the kind of club this is. It's a huge club with a massive fanbase and a great support. It's a good ambition of mine to help this club get promoted again."

Bruce spent four years at Portman Road, making 123 starts and four sub appearances, scoring three goals.


Photo: Action Images



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Jesney_Havoc added 21:11 - Jul 30
Good luck Alex, say hello to Mr Naylor for us.
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Hermann_eats_puffin added 22:16 - Jul 30
Good luck Bruce (apart from against us) although I'm not sad to see you go because I do not believe he is good enough to take us forward. During the course of the season when, like now, Delaney or McAuley are injured or suspended I would like to see our youngsters in Smith, Eastman & Brown a chance. Some of our best sides of the past under Robson & Burley were built around home grown youngsters & I would like to see this trend brought back!

Last season our squad was too big & contained the deadwood and so I don't believe that we need one signing in for every player that leaves. We've strengthened left back by getting in Kennedy who will be supported by O'Connor & if necessary Smith or even Civelli (who has played LB in Argentina) could play there.

With RB I have no problem with giving Peters a chance as opposed to getting a Premiership cast off who is just looking for a big pay day & doesn't love the club like we do. At least Peters will give his all & we have back up in Ainsley & even Edwards can play there.

When it comes to midfield hopefully Civelli can overcome his injury & fulfill his promise. At the same time it would be good see Hourihane, Hyam & Clarke given an opportunity see what they can do. This time last year none of us had heard of Colback and look at how we felt about our player of the season at the end of last season.

Up front whilst it would be nice to sign Chopra or another proven striker I certainly don't want to see one come at all costs with us being held to ransom or ripped off on either a transfer fee or wages. In the mean time we should back whoever plays up front be that Wickham, when he's back from injury, Priskin (as booing him & constant negativity is hardly going to help), Walters or even Martin. When it comes to Stead we'll wait & see what happens as we don't know what goes on behind the scenes but it seems strange that a player would turn down Premiership football for warming our bench. Perhaps the Stead scenario now that he's turned down Bristol City & Blackpool says more about the contracts & wages handed out in the Magilton era.

The Championship is a notoriously unpredictable leaque & Blackpool's promotion last season just goes to show what can happen as I don't think that many of us would have predicted their promotion at this time last year & their squad wasn't littered with bug name overpaid so called stars.

I for one will always support the team whoever pulls on the town shirt & think that backing the team with positive vocal support is vital. I refuse to get down hearted by all of the moaners and look forward to seeing where a fine Town tradition of giving our youngsters a chance can take us.

Come on you Blues!




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MaySixth added 22:26 - Jul 30
Played the game in the right way.

Not very good though.
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WickedBlue added 22:27 - Jul 30
I had to laugh at the Leeds supporter....if you think Naylor is bad mate wait till you get a gander at Bruce....only defender I can think worst than him that we have had here is Fish he only played what 20 minutes before getting subbed never played for us again and he was only just slightly worst than Bruce....
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WREXHAM_BLUE added 22:37 - Jul 30
Good luck Brucie!! All the best mate. Bit of steal at £200K in my view.
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ChambersM added 23:16 - Jul 30
Some of you fans are a disgrace
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robdaful added 00:39 - Jul 31
Bye bye Bruce. I hope you don't injure on of our players with your tackels when playing against us.
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suffolksam added 08:17 - Jul 31
because he has moved there 4 times in the last 2 weeks do we get 4 fees ?
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SiBo added 11:50 - Jul 31
Heramn eats puffin wrote:
I for one will always support the team whoever pulls on the town shirt & think that backing the team with positive vocal support is vital. I refuse to get down hearted by all of the moaners and look forward to seeing where a fine Town tradition of giving our youngsters a chance can take us.

I couldn't agree more! Spot on post Herman.
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suffolksam added 13:38 - Jul 31
sack keane and we might start climbing the table
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SiBo added 18:02 - Jul 31
suffolksam: Did you go today? I did and am now quite excited about the season starting now... we played decent passing football. Maybe RK does know what he's doing? Shock/Horror!
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suffolksam added 07:03 - Aug 1
go every day regular as clockwork
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