Cologne, GERMANY – United States Under-23 netminder Charlie Horton has inked a two-year deal with Championship outfit Leeds United, becoming the first summer signing of new boss Uwe Rösler.
Arriving after a spell with Cardiff City, the London-born 20-year-old is quite eager to help the Elland Road side make its way back to the Premier League after an 11-year absence.
"Any time you can come to a club like Leeds, where all the players are hungry for success and hungry to move up the table, that's every player's dream," Horton told the club's official website. "I used to grow up, when I was young living in England, watching Mark Viduka and those kind of players play back then in the Premier League.
"The stadium is unbelievable, the training ground is unbelievable. The facilities here are first-class. Now it's our job as players to get the club back to where it belongs."
Based on a few very important references, Rösler admitted to being delighted with the capture of Horton, who backstopped the US Under-23 national team to a Toulon Tournament bronze-medal game victory over England on Sunday.
"We had Charlie on our radar through our goalkeeping coach Richard Hartis," said Rösler. "He had worked with him at Cardiff.
"I know the manager and assistant manager of the USA team and they gave him a glowing reference. He has fantastic physical attributes and is a really positive character."
Though Horton will begin the upcoming season playing with the reserves, Rösler revealed that he will bring the youngster to preseason camp.
"He will push the guys in front of him and he will get playing time in the U-21s," said the Leeds manager. "He will train everyday with the first team. He has very good potential and will be a future No. 1. He's a first-team player playing in the U-21s."
