Jermaine Beckford, the Leeds United striker, has withdrawn his transfer request and decided to remain at Elland Road until the end of the season when his contract expires.
Beckford, who has scored 20 goals this season, had been heavily linked with a move to Newcastle United, the Coca-Cola Championship leaders, during this month’s transfer window.
Leeds admit “several financial offers have been made” but ongoing negotiations between Beckford and the club have resulted in the 26-year-old finally opting to stay and help with their promotion bid.
Beckford, who scored the winning goal in the FA Cup third-round victory at Manchester United earlier this month, said: “After a lot of thinking over the last few days I have decided to withdraw my transfer request and commit my immediate future to Leeds.
“It was never a comfortable decision to ask for a transfer in the first place, but after the game against Manchester United and the unbelievable reaction from the supporters in the Wycombe Wanderers match I have decided I want to finish what I have been striving to do for the last two seasons - and that is to help promote Leeds out of a division which the club doesn’t belong.”
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Simon Grayson, the Leeds manager, said: “I’m keen to draw a line under the situation and now we can all move on together.”