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Reid delight at Olembe capture

Leeds United have completed the signing of Marseille midfielder Salomon Olembe after he successfully passed a medical. The 22-year-old will spend the rest of the season at Elland Road, which could be turned into a long term deal at any time with Leeds having agreed an exclusive option to buy.

Olembe made his international debut for Cameroon against Cuba when he was still only 16, and a year later played for the Indominatable Lions in the World Cup finals at France '98.   He played three games in last year's World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea, and has already amassed 56 caps, scoring six times for his country.

Peter Reid is delighted to have been able to bring him to the club, and says he will offer him options that have so far been lacking in the United squad.

"He's one of those players in the middle of the park who can handle the football with quick feet and can get about. If we get a few injuries or suspensions we're down to the bare bones and it's another body in there and in certain games where I want to change the formation he's one of the players you look to in that situation. I've seen him once or twice and he is a really good player."

Olembe has spent all his professional career in France, starting out as a 17-year-old with Nantes, helping them to the French title in 2000/01.  He joined former French champions Marseille for the start of the 2001/2002 campaign.

Last season he played 28 times for Marseille, scoring just the once.

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Italian job for Okon

United midfielder Paul Okon has been released to join Italian Serie B outfit Vicenza, while Nigel Martyn could be following the Aussie out of Elland Road.

Australian skipper Okon pulled out of Leeds' reserve team game with Sunderland on Wednesday to fly to Italy to tie up a deal.

Leeds have now released the former Middlesbrough midfielder to complete the transfer.

Okon had made 21 appearances for Leeds, but was not a part of Peter Reid's plans this season.

His departure will allow Reid to add further to his squad ahead of Monday's 5pm transfer deadline.

He revealed on Friday that he is interested in signing another striker, and said: "We have a few irons in the fire."

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Football star admits 135mph road race

A Leeds United footballer who was caught taking part in a 135mph road race in his Porsche while over the drink-drive limit has been ordered to do 100 hours of community service, fined £1,500 and banned from driving for two years.

Seth Johnson, 24, had more than twice the legal alcohol level in his blood when he was stopped on the M62 near Bradford, Dewsbury magistrates' court was told.

An unmarked police car had followed Johnson's Porsche and a Mini Cooper involved in a game of high-speed chase on the motorway for seven miles on 21 August. The speeds of the vehicles ranged from 100mph to a maximum of 135mph, and officers watched as they repeatedly swapped lanes and overtook each other.

Johnson pulled over for the police, and told officers: "I know I've been stupid."

The midfield player, from Linton, near Wetherby, West Yorkshire, admitted speeding and drink-driving. He produced a breath-test reading of 83 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Johnson, who has played for England, was signed by Leeds for £7m from Derby in 2001.

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Harte offered exit chance

Republic of Ireland full back Ian Harte looks set to become the next player to leave Leeds United after the club confirmed that they have offered him a choice of loan deals.

Harte has featured just once in the Whites three games so far this season, with Dominic Matteo filling the left back role and new loan signing Didier Domi available as cover.

A statement on the club's official website read: "United defender Ian Harte is considering his options after Leeds United received loan offers from one Premiership club and a number of European clubs, one an Italian Serie A club."

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