Defensive player Alex Bruce, son of Steve, has joined the club on a two year deal, with the option of a further year.

He has signed for an undisclosed fee (rumoured to be between £200,000 and £300,000) from Ipswich Town.

Alex Bruce

Alex Bruce signs for Leeds United

He’s not the exciting signing we had all been hoping for and we are still awaiting a proper replacement for Jermaine Beckford but I think he’s a necessary signing.

With Paddy Kisnorbo out for some time and Naylor consistently questionable in defence, we definitely needed defensive cover. Hopefully Bruce will provide some good competition for places.

However, it worries me that in only his mid-twenties he has already made appearances for seven different clubs. We can only hope that Grayson has really looked at him and knows how he will fit into the team. He must be confident in Bruce’s ability to have persuaded Bates to dig out his cheque book.  From reading about Alex Bruce, one recurring theme is obvious; fans like him, mainly due to him have a good attitude and not giving up. This is great and if we do find ourselves struggling, which at one point in the season at least I’m sure we will, he could prove to be an inspired signing.

I don’t believe though that he’s a player who will be driving us towards the play-offs but more one who could keep us in the division. Maybe it’s naive of me but I was hoping for a real show of ambition in a league which looks set to be wide open and entirely unpredictable.

For now, however, we can only welcome him aboard and hope for the best (and maybe one or two more new players).