Leeds pinch Morris from Cardiff

LEEDS have gained a measure of revenge on Cardiff by signing former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris from under the noses of the Welsh side.

Leeds have signed Morris on a free transfer subject to the midfielder passing a medical today.

Morris has agreed a two-year deal with the Yorkshire club, who two seasons ago lost in the third round of the FA Cup to Cardiff in acrimonious circumstances. He will become the first player signed under Peter Reid’s management at Elland Road.

The 24-year-old was on the brink of joining First Division Cardiff on Wednesday. Cardiff owner Sam Hammam believes his club were “jilted at the altar” by Morris. The Bluebirds expected to unveil the former England U-21 player at a press conference today.

A frustrated Hammam said: “We had agreed every last detail of his contract and he had done 90% of his medical. He had done all the scans and X-rays and he was due to do a heart monitor test this morning and then there would have been a press conference. Then at 10.30pm last night the agent phones and tells me that Jody had already left the hotel in Cardiff and was on his way back to London.”

Morris is regarded as a skilful midfielder but he has had problems off the field and was cleared of affray last August in relation to an incident at a London nightclub along with former Chelsea team-mate John Terry.