Pictured: Leeds seal transfer deal for 26-year-old defender
By Coral Barry
Empoli have confirmed they have signed Giuseppe Bellusci on loan from Leeds.
The centre-back has endured a stop-start career at Elland Road with spells of good form interrupted by spats off the pitch and some questionable decisions on it.
Serie A side Empoli announced on their Twitter account that they have acquired Bellusci on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal, while the player's agency shared a picture of the moment pen was put to paper.
Bellusci joined Leeds on loan from Italian side Catania before making the stint permanent in 2014 and was one of the many Italian players to be brought to the club following Massimo Cellino's appointment as owner.
Leeds also confirmed on their website that the defender had returned to Italy and revealed that it was down to family reasons and not playing issues, thanking Bellusci for his services.
Bellusci made 61 appearances, scoring two goals in two years at Leeds and joins a side that managed a 10th place finish in Serie A last season.
Leeds are hopeful that under Monk's influence they can mount a charge for a play-off spot and vastly improve on their disappointing 13th-placed finish under Steve Evans in the 2015-16 season.