Leeds United are set to complete the signing of Giuseppe Bellusci pending a medical and other ‘formalities.’

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) August 11, 2014

If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because Bellusci was expected to sign for Leeds earlier in the summer only for the deal to fall through after failing to reach an agreement with Massimo Cellino over his contract. The 24-year-old has made 99 Serie A appearances for Catania since joining them from Ascoli in 2009. He had something of a sketchy discipline record last season that David Hockaday will need to get under control, but he does appear to be of decent pedigree having featured several times for the Italian Under 21s.


Bellusci’s availability comes after his current team Catania were relegated from the Italian top flight last season. Arriving on a season long loan deal, Leeds will have the option to purchase the experienced Serie A defender at the end of the season.

If the deal completes, Bellusci will become Leeds’ eighth signing of the summer and the sixth to come from the Italian divisions as Cellino continues to stick with what he knows for player recruitment.