Leeds United are reportedly set to complete the signing of former Everton and Real Betis goalkeeper Joel Robles on a Bosman deal.
According to AS, Leeds United are on the verge of completing the capture of Spanish goalkeeper Joel Robles as a free agent, with an agreement in place with the 32-year-old.
Leeds United have been on the lookout for a new goalkeeper this summer to add some experience to the position where they have youngsters Illan Meslier and Kristoffer Klaesson as the No. 1 and the No. 2 currently. Kiko Casilla was released by the Whites recently, while youngster Dani van den Heuvel is sidelined for the foreseeable future with a serious neck injury.
Hence, manager Jesse Marsch had been keen on bringing in another shot-stopper, potentially with someone with a greater degree of experience than Klaesson, so that they can take up the mantle of the second-choice goalkeeper for a year or two. And, they have managed to strike an agreement with Joel Robles, who has been a free agent this summer after the expiry of his contract with Real Betis.
Joel Robles has had somewhat of a journeyman career so far. The Spaniard spent his youth footballing years at Leganes and Atletico Madrid before enjoying loan stints with Rayo Vallecano and Wigan Athletic. He signed for Everton on a permanent transfer in the summer of 2013 and spent five years with the Merseyside giants.
During his stint at Goodison Park, Robles made 65 appearances, in which he managed to keep 25 clean sheets. The former Spanish youth international left Everton in 2018 as a free agent, returning to his homeland by signing for Real Betis. In four years at the Benito Villamarin, the custodian featured 78 times and managed 24 clean sheets before being let go of by the La Liga side this summer.
Having been available as a free agent since July, Robles will now return to the Premier League by signing for Leeds United. The report states that director Victor Orta and goalkeeping coach Marcos Abad, both of whom are Spanish, played a key role in the deal for the 32-year-old, whose signing could be announced imminently.
Robles has some experience in the Premier League, having made 51 appearances in the English top flight during his time with Wigan Athletic and Everton. The 32-year-old can be a handy second-choice goalkeeper for Leeds until Klaesson gains some experience.
