Leeds United's 27 year-old cultured midfielder Luke Murphy has joined Nigel Clough's perennial underdogs Burton Albion on loan until the end of the season.

Murphy, who moved to Elland Road in a £1M deal from prolific talent producers Crewe Alexandra in July 2013, had not made a league appearance for United all season, playing merely a solitary game in the League Cup.

The midfielder, who made 25 appearances last season, expressed his delight at having signed for Burton in an interview with burtonalbionfc.co.uk.

“As soon as I found out there was a chance of coming here I really wanted to make it happen," remarked Albion's third recruit of the January window.

“It’s a very ambitious club and they’ve proved that in the last few years with the promotions. With the manager that’s here I’ve always wanted to try and play for him and hopefully I can help the team do well and finish the season good.”

The move will likely spark fresh speculation regarding the future of Toumani Diagouraga. Having been a regular in the first team toward the end of last season after arriving from divisional rivals Brentford a year ago, the Frenchman has not featured in a competitive outing for the Whites since August, when he started in a 3-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers on the opening day of the season.

Photo: Action Images

Leeds United Polls