Leeds complete Hulse loan deal

Leeds have signed West Brom striker Rob Hulse on loan for the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old joined Albion from Crewe for £750,000 (€1m) in July 2003 but has been unable to make an impression on their first team this season as the West Midlands club struggle to stave off relegation from the Barclays Premiership.

Hulse rejected the chance of a £1.2m (€1.7m) switch to Stoke towards the end of the transfer window.

He was Albion’s top scorer last season with 13 goals.

Hulse is now looking to get his career back on track at Elland Road after being frozen out of the first-team picture with West Brom.

Despite being top scorer for West Brom last season with 13 goals, Hulse has made just seven substitute appearances this campaign, prompting him to consider his future.

Although the 25-year-old recently turned down a £1.2m (€1.7m) move to Stoke, when Leeds came calling he jumped at the opportunity, with boss Kevin Blackwell beating off strong competition from promotion-chasing Ipswich, Wigan and Sunderland.

“I see this as the ideal opportunity to get me playing football again,” said Hulse on www.lufc.com.

“I’m under no illusions. I need to be playing football and I see Leeds United as the best place to be. I know that my match fitness is down, but I’ve looked after myself and I’ve worked extremely hard in the gym and after training.

“I know I’m fit, but it’s just a case now of getting match fitness under my belt and hopefully that won’t take too long.”