Leeds pounce for Charlton goalkeeper

Leeds have signed Charlton goalkeeper Stephan Andersen on a season-long loan.

The 24-year-old Denmark international has been unable to force his way into the first-team plans of new Addicks boss Iain Dowie.

Andersen joined the south-east London club from AB Copenhagen in a £721,000 deal during May 2004, and made his debut in the 4-0 defeat against Manchester United at The Valley a year later.

Following an injury to Dean Kiely, and then the eventual departure of long-time Charlton number one during January 2006, Andersen had hoped to cement his place – only for Norwegian veteran Thomas Myhre to be preferred towards the end of the campaign.

Despite a change of manager when Alan Curbishley left, Dowie felt the need to bring in England Under-21 keeper Scott Carson, who has started each of the opening three Barclays Premiership games this season.

Leeds, meanwhile, needed cover following the end of Fulham stopper Tony Warner’s loan spell, and with Neil Sullivan carrying a thigh problem.