Ex-Leeds United striker in PFA free-agent squad with former Massimo Cellino target | OneFootball

Connor Wickham, a former Leeds United loanee from the Massimo Cellino era, is training with the PFA free-agent squad while seeking a new club. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, ex-Elland Road target Fernando Forestieri is also involved.

The PFA hosts unattached players each summer to keep fit and stages friendlies for watching scouts. Week three began on Monday with 45 free agents in camp.

Wickham, now 33, joined Leeds on a six-month loan from Sunderland in February 2014 aiming for regular football under Brian McDermott. Then 20, he had moved to Sunderland for £8m three years earlier and hoped to represent England.

McDermott felt he had everything ahead of him, but after taking the No. nine shirt his impact was minimal. He played five Championship games without scoring and was recalled after four weeks. He later joined Crystal Palace for £7m in 2015, spent six years there including a loan at Sheffield Wednesday, and has since been at Preston North End, Cardiff City and Charlton Athletic, most recently Dubai City.

In 2015 Leeds agreed a fee for Watford forward Forestieri before a late U-turn, with Cellino saying he lacked the mentality for the club, and the forward instead joined Wednesday. Forestieri shone that season, took man of the match as the Owls beat Leeds in January 2016, then posted a pointed message about having the right mentality and thanked supporters.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk