On transfer deadline day, Jesse Marsch’s team fell short of acquiring Cody Gakpo of PSV Eindhoven and Bamba Dieng of Marseille but ultimately managed to work out a deal to acquire Gnonto’s services from FC Zurich.
The 18-year-old forward is an Inter Milan academy product and last season made 36 appearances for FC Zurich, netting ten goals while laying on five assists.
Gnonto, who has yet to make an appearance for Leeds United, has been training with the Whites’ Under-21 side and Skubala admitted that the forward is in contention for Leeds’s Premier League 2 Division Two encounter with Southampton this weekend.
Skubala stressed that the teenager is an exciting talent with a great character to have around the dressing room and urged the Leeds fans to get behind the youngster.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Willy Gnonto”, Skubala was quoted saying by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“He’s come in, is a really good young man.
“He’s a really good character already to have around the building – the experiences that he has already for such a young player, he’s quite an exciting player.
“He’s one of those players that I hope the fans will get behind and see the excitement that he can bring to Leeds United – and what another good opportunity to have a young talent come into the club.”
“He’s obviously in contention for tomorrow with a lot of other players.”
Gnonto has represented Italy four times at senior level and in June scored against Germany to become the youngest goalscorer for the Azzurri.
