Leeds United have signed Argentinean defender Federico Bessone to further strengthen the squad ahead of the new season.

The 26-year-old left-back, who has signed a three-year contract, will arrive from Swansea City where he made 22 appearances last season.

Bessone follows fellow defender Paul Connolly into the club. He is the club's fourth signing of the summer as manager Simon Grayson looks to bolster his squad in readiness for the return to the npower Championship.

Grayson said: "I watched him last year. He's very comfortable on the ball and is a very good acquisition.

"He has a good pedigree and he is another good player to come into the squad. We needed another left-back, Ben Parker was injured last year, and he gives us another option.

"He's a good age, he speaks good English, and he was part of a Swansea team who did well. He can handle a ball, he can defend, and he has done well when he has played in the Championship.

"We're delighted we've got him. He had an option to re-sign at Swansea which he turned down because of our interest in him.

"He's excited. He's aware of the club and the fanbase and having done well with Swansea last season he wants to go one better this season with us."

Bessone joins fellow countryman Luciano Becchio at Elland Road.

Like Becchio, Bessone lists Barcelona among his former employers, having started his career in the Spanish giants C team when he figured alongside a certain Lionel Messi.

After two years at Barca he progressed to Espanyol and Gimnastic before moving to the UK to join Roberto Martinez at Swansea.

In two seasons in South Wales, Federico made 40 appearances.

"He knows Luciano through Andrea Orlando at Swansea," added the boss.

"They have a similar background and hopefully he turns out to be a similar player."

See more from Federico on LUTV later...