Leeds United have completed the loan signing of Everton defender Matthew Pennington, according to Sky Sports.

The 22-year old has passed a medical and will join up with the squad today at their pre-season training camp in Austria, becoming United’s ninth summer signing.

Pennington has found game-time hard to come by at Everton since signing a professional contract back in 2013, making only 9 club appearances and scoring his only goal against Liverpool last season.

He has had loan spells with Tranmere Rovers, Coventry City and Walsall, making over 50 appearances in League One between 2013 and 2016.

Predominantly a central-defender, Pennington can also feature at right-back.

It’s understood that Leeds fought off fellow Championship rivals Hull City for the signature of Pennington, who will now focus on snapping up Liverpool starlet Ryan Kent, who Leeds United are also said to be very keen on.

Liverpool have accepted offers from Leeds, Hull and one other unnamed club, and it is now down to the player to decide where he will play next season.

Giuseppe Bellusci departed the club earlier this week and with Kyle Bartley not looking likely to return, Pontus Jannson and Liam Cooper were the club’s only recognised centre-backs, meaning the signing of Pennington is massively welcomed.

Pennington joins the likes of Ergjan Alioski, Samuel Saiz Alonso, Vurnon Anita, Caleb Ekuban, Mateusz Klich and Felix Wiedwald who have joined the club ahead of the new season in the Championship, with the West Yorkshire side hoping for a promotion push in 2017/18 after falling away in the latter stages of last season.