Football

Leeds United have made Portsmouth defender & captain Jason Pearce their first summer signing. The fee paid to Portsmouth is believed to be £500,000.

The former Bournemouth man, 24, joined Portsmouth last summer for the same price they sold him for. Pearce was one of the South-Coast club’s top performers and that showed in their end of season awards where he picked up 7 out of 9 awards. He made 44 Championship appearances scoring 2 goals and United boss Neil Warnock was quick to strengthen his defence after a poor 2011/2013 season.

You can follow Jason on twitter: @jpearcedog87.

Manager Neil Warnock told the clubs official website: “I’m delighted, He is a lad I’ve been looking at a lot and for a long while now. I saw him when he was at Bournemouth and almost took him to QPR last summer. I tried to get him in March when I first came here, but couldn’t quite do it. I think he epitomises what I’m looking for in a player. He’s got hunger and enthusiasm, and he won all the player of the year awards down at Portsmouth. He’s just the type of player we need. I feel disappointed for the situation Portsmouth are in at the moment, but they’ll come through it. We’ve all been through it, and there’s no sentiment in football. Here we want to build a side and as soon as you get your number one signing in you can really start. I couldn’t have got a better one that Jason. He’s a lovely lad, fits in well, he has a good family, and everything’s good around him. He’ll love it here and I’m sure he’ll be a fans favourite. He’s not old, he’s only 24, he’s not a 34-year-old. He’s got so much to prove, and I think we can make him a better player here.”