Swindon Town striker Billy Paynter will join Leeds United on July 1.

The 26-year-old, who fired Swindon to the League One play off final last season, was one of the most prolific marksmen in League One having netted 29 goals last season, four of them coming against ourselves.

Paynter's arrival at Elland Road will add further strength to the firepower at Simon Grayson's disposal and the manager was delighted to complete the signing of the player on a three-year contract.

The boss said: "He proved his worth last season, scoring four goals against us in two games. He has matured as a player over the last couple of years and he had a fantastic season last season.

"He works ever so hard, holds the ball up well and he has proved he knows where the back of the net is.
When we knew he was available we were desperate to get him. We feel he will be a good acquisition for the club and I am delighted to have got him," he added.

But the United manager was quick to point out that Paynter was not a Beckford.  "I've said before that whenever we sign a striker, people will link him to Jermaine but he is not Jermaine Beckford he is Billy Paynter.

"He has got a different style about him and he will do the things that brought him success last year. Jermaine has his strengths and weaknesses and Billy will have as well. There will be comparison and Jermaine Beckford was something different at times. But some of Billy's strengths were better than Jermaine's and maybe some of Jermaine's strengths were better than Billy's. That's why you can't really compare people," added the United manager.

Grayson said that United fans would hardly need reminding what he did to Leeds last season. "He was a constant threat to us, and not just because of the goals he scored against us but in terms of his hold up play, his work rate and movement. He caused us a lot of problems. We have gone out to get a player we think will positively affect us," he added.

Elland Road will be the sixth stopping point for Paynter in a career that has taken in Port Vale, Hull, Southend United, Bradford City, and Swindon. In 280 career league starts he has scored 88 goals and Leeds have pipped a number of clubs to his signature.

"He has come to a big club and he can't wait to get started. He will want to prove to himself that he can play for Leeds and adapt to the Championship," Grayson added.

Liverpool-born Paynter began his career with Port Vale and when he made his debut for them in May 2001 he was, at 16 years and 294 days of age, the youngest player in 20 years to play for the club.