GRADEL DEPARTS AFTER TRANSFER REQUEST

GRADEL DEPARTS AFTER TRANSFER REQUEST

Ivorian returns to France...

Max Gradel is sent off

Leeds United have reluctantly accepted an offer from French club Saint-Etienne for Max Gradel.

The player, who joined Leeds for an initial fee of £200,000 when he moved permanently from Leicester in January 2010, submitted a transfer request earlier on Tuesday, stating his desire to secure a move to his 'native' France and play at the highest level for his career development.

There has been extensive interest in the player, who is out of contract at the end of the season, from both clubs in England and France, however we were reluctant to agree to a domestic transfer that could potentially harm our promotion ambitions.

The player is to undertake a medical examination on Wednesday and the fee will remain undisclosed.

Max has scored 25 goals in 81 appearances for United since joining the club, initially on loan from Leicester City in October 2009.

The player, who won his first international caps while with the club, played a part in the team which won promotion from League One in 2009/10 and also figured prominently on our return to the Championship last season.

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