Charlie Horton has underlined the importance of the pre-season tour for United’s summer recruits, saying "it’s about building relationships and gaining a rapport" with their new team-mates.

Horton, Uwe Rosler’s first signing of the summer, is one of three goalkeepers in the 25-man squad which headed out to Austria on Saturday for a week-long training camp in preparation for the new campaign.

The 20-year-old will be hoping to feature in Tuesday’s friendly with Eintracht Frankfurt (6.15pm, live on LUTV) and Saturday’s meeting with Hoffenheim in Norway (4pm) as he looks to challenge Marco Silvestri and Ross Turnbull for a place in the side.

Speaking about the tour at United’s team hotel, Horton said: “I’ve really enjoyed it so far.

“A pre-season tour is not only about playing, it’s about getting around the guys, it’s about building relationships and gaining a rapport with the lads.

“That’s been really important. It’s a great bunch of guys so that’s been a lot of fun.”

The young goalkeeper also spoke of how he and the other new signings were initiated in front of the rest of the squad not long after touching base in Austria.

“We had our sing-songs on Saturday after dinner and those were funny,” he said. “We all did one.

“No-one could really top Chris Wood doing the Haka – it was good fun.

“There’s work to do on the pitch and there’s work to do off the pitch. On the pitch, we need to play – we need to get the fitness levels.

“Off the pitch is almost as important - maybe equally important – for building the relationships that will carry you through the season, both with staff and players.”

Horton has been with United for just over six weeks after penning a two-year deal from Cardiff at the start of June, and the USA Under-23s international says his initial impressions are of a club moving in the right direction.

“The team has a great mix of old players who have been there and know what it takes, and young players who are hungry to prove that they have what it take,” he said.

“As those relationships build, the better it will be.

“The gaffer has preached on building this top-six mentality around the club. I think that’s what we’re starting to put into practice.

“Last year was last year and we’re ready to start this year on the front foot and ready to go after the league.”

Horton is joined on the tour by fellow keepers Silvestri and Turnbull, and he believes that working closely with them over the coming months will only be beneficial for his own career.

“It’s really great because I can work from two great goalkeepers,” he said. “ Marco had a great year and Ross has been through a lot of football and been around a lot of football.

“Any experience I can gain from them and any knowledge I can gain from them is great.

“I’ve already picked their brains on a couple of things and it’s nice to get their opinions.

“As any goalkeeper will tell you, we all want to play. But it’s also our role to support each other and grow together.

“I’m hoping to push Marco and push Ross, and continue my own growth. There are parts of my game I’ve highlighted with the gaffer and with Rich (Hartis) to continue to develop.

“Hopefully, when those things start to come around, I’ll begin to push even more.

“Hopefully, whether it’s going on loan or whatever it may be, I’ll continue to develop and at one point my number will be called and I’ll be ready to go.”

How to follow United’s pre-season tour:
Here on leedsunited.com we’ll be bringing you exclusive content every day of the tour from within the camp, including behind-the-scenes photos, interviews, match reports and any breaking news as it happens. Our official Twitter account - @LUFC – will bring you team news and live updates of both games. If you're making the trip, we'd love to see your photos using the hashtag #lufcontour.

LUTV are also out in Austria and Norway to follow United every step of the way, and subscribers can watch Tuesday's game with Eintracht Frankfurt live, as well as enjoying full match commentary of both friendlies, highlights, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and much, much more. Click here to subscribe now for just £1 per week!