Leeds United have signed Aston Villa defender Shane Lowry on loan until March 13.

The 20-year-old met his new team-mates for the first time on Friday and went straight into the squad for the weekend game against Colchester United.

Lowry has made two senior appearances with Aston Villa - he made his debut in the Europa League this season - and spent three months on loan with Championship side Plymouth Argyle earlier this term.

The left-back was born in Perth and, despite having represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17 and under-21 level, he was named in the Australian senior squad for the recent games against Netherlands and Oman.

Lowry is the third Australian national at the club with Paddy Kisnorbo, a regular in the Socceroos side, and Neil Kilkenny, who is pushing for further international recognition after a frustrating Olympics in the summer of 2008.

Lowry was the club's second signing ahead of the Colchester game with Birmingham City's Gary McSheffrey also stepping down from the Premier League.

Neither player is eligible to play in the FA Cup, but both have permission to play in the JPT Area Final second leg at Carlisle on February 9.