Who is loan signing Joe Rothwell and where does he fit in?

Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell is undergoing a medical ahead of a season-long loan move to Leeds United.

The 49ers have been typically tight-lipped this summer, with growing uneasiness among Whites fans over a perceived lack of transfer activity.

Rothwell, 29, made 17 appearances for Championship play-off winners Southampton in the second half of last season.

The central midfielder, capable of playing in a variety of midfield roles, started the 2023-24 season with 11 Premier League appearances.

It remains to be seen whether Rothwell will get a starting place in Daniel Farke’s side after logging 441 minutes of action at St Mary’s.

However, the German was painfully short of options to affect play last season, particularly in midfield with Archie Gray and Ethan Ampadu out of position.

Rothwell has been described as a physical player but a talented ball carrier, able to mix it up and move his side up the field with dynamic runs. He also looks capable of getting into a possession-based side.

Farke likes his sides to mix up their attacks, with strong runners and individual flair as important as building possession.

He also showed good passing ability in the final third during the 2021/22 season as he registered 10 assists for Blackburn in 41 league appearances.

And even though he has registered a goal every 100 minutes for Saints in the last term, his preference for keeping the ball suggests he will be competition for Glen Kamara as a number eight.

Leeds fans will be hoping that Rothwell is just the first arrival of a busy summer with their opener against Portsmouth just four weeks away.

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