Leeds snap-up Club Brugge left-back Laurens De Bock on four-and-a-half-year deal

LEEDS secure a £1.5million deal to bring defender Laurens De Bock to England from Belgian side Club Brugge.

Regular full-back Luke Ayling was ruled out for the rest of the season, requiring surgery on his ankle after an injury picked up in Leeds' 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forrest on New Years Day.

Boss Thomas Christiansen will likely shift current left-back Gaetano Berardi to the other side, making way for De Bock to slot in.

The Belgian was a regular for Brugge for four seasons since joining from Lokeren in 2013.

This season, however, he has fallen at the wayside, starting just one game in the league so far.

He has still made over 130 appearances for Brugge and even won the league, Belgian Cup and Super Cup.

That experience should help the 25-year-old settle in quickly at Leeds, and they will need him with their long list of injury problems.

De Bock's arrival could mean an end for Manchester United's loanee defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackon, who has only made six appearances at Leeds.

The former U21 international for his home nation Belgium may make his debut away at Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Thomas Christiansen's side sit in a promising sixth place, just one point behind fifth placed Aston Villa.