LEEDS United loan player Giuseppe Bellusci has turned his move from Catania into a permanent one.

The 24-year-old central defender has penned a deal until June 2018 and hopes to make his first appearance on Saturday at Watford.

Head coach David Hockaday said: “Giuseppe has come into the club and has made an instant impact with the rest of the squad. He is a strong personality with leadership skills. As well as that he is great at organising and brings added quality into our defence."

Meanwhile, United are hoping to give new signing Mirco Antenucci his debut at Vicarage Road.

The 30-year-old forward, who was at Italian club Ternana, has put pen to paper on a two-year deal but now needs to get international clearance.

Antenucci, who has moved for an undisclosed fee, could go straight into the Whites' side as Souleymane Doukara has been ruled out for at least a month due to an ankle injury.

The United new boy has tweeted his delight at coming to Leeds.

He said: “Proud to be part of this club. Hope to give you a lot of satisfaction.”

Antenucci's career had all been in Italy, playing for Torino and Catania among a list of nine clubs, and now Leeds have missed out on Rotherham United striker Kieran Agard, who has opted to go to Bristol City, their attention has turned to Brazilian attacking midfielder Adryan for what would be their 12th signing of the summer.

The Whites are keen to replace last season’s top scorer Ross McCormack, following the Scot’s £11 million move to Fulham earlier this summer.

Meanwhile, United have sold out their 80 per cent ticket allocation reserved for season-ticket holders for next Wednesday's Capital One Cup derby at Bradford City.

Gold members can now book tickets and, if there are any of the 3,700 overall allocation left, Silver Members can purchase them from Monday (10.30am).