Football: Leeds snap up Italian pair

Football: Leeds snap up Italian pair

LONDON - Italian midfielder Tommaso Bianchi and Senegalese striker Souleymane Doukara have been brought in to Leeds United under new owner Massino Cellino.

The duo's arrival takes Cellino's summer signing spree to four following the transfers of goalkeepers Marco Silvestri and Stuart Taylor.

The colourful Cellini arrived at Elland Road in January and, after selling captain Ross McCormack to Fulham, has been busy building a squad he hopes will allow new head coach Dave Hockaday to get the side back into the Premier League.

Bianchi has signed a four-year deal with Leeds from Serie A side Sassuolo - achieving promotion with them in 2013.

The 25-year-old is an age-grade Italian international and Hockaday believes he can occupy a number of roles.

"He can play on the left, right or in the number 10 position and he can score goals," he said of Bianchi, who spent last season on loan with Modena.

Cellino has also tried to compensate for the departure of McCormack with the arrival of Senegalese striker Doukara on a season-long loan.

He joins from Catania, spending last season on loan with Serie B side Juve Stabia.

"He is a big, powerful and fast player with a hunger to succeed. He is exactly what we need at the club." Cellino is close to making a fifth signing in the shape of Switzerland international defender Jonathan Rossini.

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