Deal agreed: First Leeds summer exit now finalised as Orta signing jumps ship - report

Leeds United left-back Laurens De Bock has reportedly signed a permanent deal with Zulte Waregem.

De Bock has been out on loan to four different clubs after Victor Orta brought him to Yorkshire back in 2018 from Club Brugge in a deal worth £1.53m.

The 29-year-old has made just seven appearances in Yorkshire and has spent the current campaign back in his native country with Zulte Waregem.

The Belgian has been a regular for the Jupiler Pro League side, making 30 appearances in all competitions, and with his Leeds deal set to expire in the summer, Phil Hay reported earlier that the player will definitely leave the club on a Bosman deal.

Now, it looks as though his destination is already agreed.

Inside Futbol relayed a story from Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws regarding De Bock’s future late on Tuesday evening.

They claim that the defender has actually already signed a one-year deal with Zulte Waregem, which includes an option to extend by a further 12 months.

It’s crazy to think De Bock is still a Whites player, but a permanent exit appeared inevitable and best for all involved as he looks set to become the first player to leave the club during Jesse Marsch’s tenure as manager.

He hasn’t been in the picture at Elland Road over the last four seasons, with his last Leeds appearance coming back in the 2017/18 Championship season prior to Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival.

He’s finally back to playing regular first-team football in Belgium and is clearly rated by Zulte Waregem, captaining the side for the majority of the current campaign, so it doesn’t come as a surprise to learn he has penned a permanent deal with the club.

In other news: Leeds working on cheap deal for ‘outstanding’ 24 y/o; may replace ‘horrible’ flop. 

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