Aussie midfielder joins Leeds

Leeds have completed the signing of Australia midfielder Joel Griffiths from Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax.

The 26-year-old has impressed manager Kevin Blackwell sufficiently after a week-long trial to be offered an 18-month contract.

Leeds are still awaiting international clearance for the deal to be ratified, but Griffiths is expected to be included in the squad for this weekend’s Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road.

Griffiths hopes the switch to the Coca-Cola Championship will help cement his place in Australia’s 2006 World Cup squad, after making a goalscoring debut for the Socceroos in their 5-0 win against Jamaica in October.