Lucic ready to claim Leeds place

Leeds’ latest capture Teddy Lucic has thrown down the gauntlet to his new team-mates with a confident claim he will force his way into the side.

Lucic was a deadline day capture on Saturday from AIK Solna, the 29-year-old Sweden international defender signing a three-month loan contract with Leeds, having the option of extending his stay until the end of the season.

Lucic, an experienced campaigner who played in all four of Sweden’s World Cup games in the summer, is able to play anywhere across the back four.

However, in preparing for Sweden’s Euro 2004 Group Four qualifier in Latvia this Saturday, Lucic revealed: “I talked to a representative for the club today and it seems like they regard me as a central defender.”

That would place Lucic in direct competition with skipper Dominic Matteo, Jonathan Woodgate and Lucas Radebe, although there is every chance he could yet oust Ian Harte from the left-back spot.

Lucic, who has played in Serie A with Bologna, added: “This is a great chance.

“Leeds is a top club and the Premier League is a fantastic league.

“It’s tough whichever big professional club you join, but this doesn’t feel impossible.”