Gretar Steinsson currently forms a quarter of Leeds United’s recruitment department under 49ers Enterprises.
As part of a major restructuring behind-the-scenes, Steinsson was brought in from Tottenham Hotspur to take on a newly formed role at Leeds as technical director.
Steinsson is working closely alongside Jordan Miles, Nick Hammond and Daniel Farke on incomings and outgoings, the latter of which can be considered part of the recruitment team due to his insistence at being a manager, rather than head coach.
The former Iceland international played a key role in getting the Joel Piroe signing over the line nearly 12 months ago, while Hammond was a focal point in Ethan Ampadu’s arrival.
It shows how much more functional a larger recruitment team can be, though, as opposed to a one-man band like Victor Orta.
Leeds really wanted to sign Daniel Jebbison this summer
Leeds did not make a single signing last summer until the third week of July and so to have brought in three already means they are off to a quicker start.
Joe Rothwell became the latest arrival on Thursday evening as he joined both Joe Rodon and Alex Cairns in moving to West Yorkshire.
But it could have actually been even more if Steinsson had managed to land one of his top targets in Daniel Jebbison.
Leeds had been in the running to sign Jebbison on a free transfer following his decision not to sign a new contract at Sheffield United, with Steinsson fronting the pursuit.
However, he officially made the move to Bournemouth earlier this week and speaking exclusively to LeedsUnited.News, transfer expert Graeme Bailey says Leeds are disappointed to miss out.
He said: “They missed out on Jebbison which was a big blow to them, they really wanted him and thought they had a great chance of getting him, which they did to be fair. In the end the Premier League club won out and Iraola is a very good coach.”
Jebbison failure could be good news for Mateo Joseph
Farke currently has three options at his disposal when it comes to leading the line in Patrick Bamford, Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph.
Despite the indifferent form of both Bamford and Piroe towards the end of the season, Farke opted against ever bringing in Joseph for an opportunity to start.
Had Leeds brought in another striker like Jebbison, that would have only added to the obstacles in Joseph’s way for a full league debut.
He will now be looking to make that spot his own over the course of pre-season and prove to Farke he does not need another number nine.