Richie Wellens is convinced Sonny Perkins will be a "real asset" for Leyton Orient after the striker completed a permanent switch to the League One club from Leeds United.

Perkins departed the Whites on Friday, joining the O's for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old flourished in the first half of the season at Orient, contributing four goals and six assists in their promotion push.

Head coach Wellens said: “We’re really pleased to get Sonny in on a permanent basis. He is a young player, which people often forget, who has had his first taste of regular senior football in the first half of this season.

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“The Sonny we have signed today is a different Sonny to the one that joined us on loan in the summer. He is developing into a man and I know that there is still plenty more to come from him.

“He was magnificent in our FA Cup match against Derby County earlier this month and the challenge for him now is to produce that kind of performance on a more consistent basis.

“I know that he has the ability to keep improving and believe that he can be a real asset for the football club in the coming years.”

Perkins, who has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal with the O's, is thrilled to have joined the club on a full time basis. He said: “It means a lot to me to be a permanent Leyton Orient player. Everyone knows that I started out here and I have really enjoyed the first half of this season.

“The Blackpool home game, when I scored my first league goal, was a special day and the Derby match is a night that I’ll always remember. The gaffer and his staff have been great with me and I want to keep developing and help this club to have success this year and beyond.”

Former West Ham United youngster Perkins is Orient's third January addition, following on from Dilan Markanday and Azeem Abdulai. Director of Football Martin Ling said: “We’re really pleased to make Sonny a permanent signing.

"Like I said last week, bringing in young players with a lot of potential and a determination to succeed forms an important part of our recruitment strategy and, in Richie, we have one of the best coaches around to help these players develop into the best they can be.

“Sonny has shown some moments of real quality in the first half of the season and we believe that he can keep getting better and better.”