BOSS COMPLETES WINGER SWOOP

BOSS COMPLETES WINGER SWOOP

Southend flyer joins United...

Ryan Hall

Leeds United have signed Southend United winger Ryan Hall on loan until January with a view to a permanent move.

The 24-year-old scored 14 goals and claimed 25 assists, the highest in the league, for the Shrimpers last season and has attracted interest from both Peterborough United and Blackpool.

Hall, who made over 100 appearances for Southend, scoring 23 goals, is known to United manager Neil Warnock after starting his career at Crystal Palace.

"I've known Ryan for many years and was a big fan of his at Crystal Palace," said the boss.

"All credit to him to come back into my thoughts. I'm looking for a player of his quality. I don't know if he can do it at this level yet, but he offers something different in the squad. He can give us an option where we could change a game."

Hall also endured a torrid time off the field at Southend. In March 2011 he was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment after pleading guilty to affray after an incident outside a Southend nightclub at the club's Christmas party.

He was granted bail pending an appeal against the severity of the sentence, and his sentence was reduced to 12 weeks, with the sentence suspended for a year, and 150 hours of community service.

"I'm not right every time, but I do forgive and forget," said the boss. "I always remember one player who had everything but had a few off the field problems. I told him he could go either way. To the top or otherwise. Unfortunately it was the latter.

"Ryan has to put his own house in order, but this is a great opportunity for him. He needs to get away from the South and grasp the opportunity we've given him.

"He can take people on for fun. I love people who can do that. It's nice to see. We have a wide pitch and we need people like that who can open defences up."

Hall will go straight into the squad for Friday's trip to Sheffield Wednesday.

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