He has signed a three-year deal until the summer of 2026.
Darlow was given permission by Magpies chief Eddie Howe to leave the club’s pre-season training camp in the US and jet back to England to finalise a move a couple of days ago.
Darlow’s representatives have been in advanced talks with Leeds for some time, with the prospects of a switch increasing after top-flight outfit Bournemouth agreed a loan deal with Inter Milan to sign Andrei Radu on a season-long loan and ended their interest in the Newcastle custodian.
United’s Yorkshire rivals Hull City and Middlesbrough were also keen on Darlow earlier this summer.
The 32-year-old impressed in a loan spell in East Yorkshire last term, but the transfer demands of his parent club and the financial package involved has ensured that City decided to look elsewhere.
Boro were also reportedly struggling to match Darlow’s wage demands with the Teessiders instead electing to bring in QPR keeper Seny Dieng as their first-choice keeper.
Darlow, who had started Newcastle’s first two games in pre-season, has become Leeds’s second signing of the close season following on from the arrival of Chelsea midfielder Ethan Ampadu for an initial £7m, rising to £10m with performance-related add-ons.
real more:
Traditionally, managers will put out their preferred starting line-up for the opening day of a campaign in the last pre-season friendly. While Daniel Farke knocked back this theory in Leeds United’s case because of this unique, truncated summer they are facing, there were certainly a few clues.
Farke did at least concede there are not going to be 11 changes to yesterday’s starting line-up when it comes to Cardiff City’s visit on Sunday. More on the goalkeeping situation later, but Luke Ayling seems pretty locked into right-back now.
Sadly for Cody Drameh, this hamstring injury has come at the worst time. It has ruled him out of both the Nottingham Forest and Heart of Midlothian friendlies, giving Ayling a clear run at the right side of defence.
The goal was a bonus for Ayling, who already had the upper hand on Drameh with his seniority, dressing-room status and experience. The former Luton Town loanee may have to bide his time, but Farke will surely give him the opportunities he deserves in the weeks ahead.
READ MORE: Leeds United’s double injury blow and transfer knock-on effect for striker targets
