Leeds United have confirmed the permanent exit of Sonny Perkins, who joins loan club Leyton Orient permanently.

Leeds Live reported that the forward was on the cusp of making the switch on Tuesday, and now the deal has gone through. Perkins will leave for an undisclosed fee with a substantial sell-on clause attached in his deal, in the event he is sold on later down the line.

Orient boss Richie Wellens had made public his desire to keep Perkins on a full-time basis. Daniel Farke would not be drawn into discussing his future at the club when asked during a press conference a few weeks ago.

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Perkins - who has recorded four goals and six assists in 29 matches for Orient this season - would have seen his United contract expire this summer. The 20-year-old joined Leeds from West Ham in 2022 on a free transfer.

The youngster made four senior appearances for United, and scored against Cardiff City in the FA Cup in January 2023. His only outing under Farke came via a late cameo against Cardiff on the manager’s debut in August 2023.

Confirming his sale, Leeds United said: “Leeds United can confirm Sonny Perkins has signed for Sky Bet League One side Leyton Orient in a permanent deal. Perkins joined the Whites in 2022 and went on to play regularly in the Under-21s set-up.

“His goals helped the club to seal promotion back to Premier League 2 Division One, after winning in the play-off final. The 20-year-old made his first team debut in the 2022/23 season and scored his first goal for the club in an Emirates FA Cup clash away at Cardiff City.

“With first team opportunities limited, Perkins joined Orient at the start of the 2024/25 campaign and has now made his switch to the Gaughan Group Stadium a permanent one. Everyone at Leeds United would like to wish Sonny well for his future career.”

Perkins becomes the fourth player to leave the club this window, with three players exiting on loan earlier in January. Joe Gelhardt (loaned to Hull City), Charlie Crew (Doncaster Rovers) and Luca Thomas (Halifax Town) will all spend the rest of the season away from Elland Road.