Pugh is Blackwell's first signing

New Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell today completed his first signing with the capture of utility player Danny Pugh from Manchester United.

The left-sided player, who made just seven first-team appearances during his two years at Old Trafford, has signed a two-year contract with Leeds. He crosses the Pennines only 24 hours after Alan Smith completed his £7m (€10.5m) move in the opposite direction.

Blackwell believes 21-year-old Pugh represents the kind of player he requires for next season’s First Division campaign.

Blackwell said: “Danny is a young up-and-coming player who I was aware of and he has the hunger to do well that I want to bring to this club.

“He hasn’t had a lot of first-team experience, but he knows if he does well then he will get the chance to play regularly, while he can play in a number of positions and that could prove very useful to us.

“Bringing in Danny allows us to fill the left-hand side and move James Milner, a right-footed player, back to the right wing or even up front, but this is a great opportunity for Danny.”

Pugh joins an illustrious list of players who have moved from Old Trafford to Elland Road in the post-war era, following in the footsteps of Johnny Giles, Brian Greenhoff, Gordon Strachan and Lee Sharpe.