Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt has joined Championship side Sunderland on loan for the rest of the season.

The 20-year-old’s appearances have been limited since the summer and his prospect of minutes under Marsch have been further impacted by the signing of Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim.

Since Rutter’s arrival he has been heavily linked with numerous Championship sides, including Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough.

Gelhardt, who only recently signed a new long-term contract until the summer of 2027, will link up with Sunderland for more regular game-time after only featuring four times this campaign – only one of those being in the Premier League.

The youngster managed two goals and four assists last season, as Leeds avoided relegation from the top-flight, but this season he has fell down the pecking order under boss Jesse Marsch.

Sunderland will hope Gelhardt can be the boost they need as they hunt down a place in the Championship play-offs during the second half of the campaign.

Tony Mowbray’s side currently sit ninth after the opening 28 matches and just one point outside of the play-off places.

Gelhardt is not the only departure from Leeds, as full-back Cody Drameh has completed a move to Luton Town to replace James Bree, who has signed for Premier League outfit Southampton.

Drameh, 21, has made eight appearances for Leeds’ first team, with three coming this season.

Bree, 25, has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Saints to help them avoid relegation from the Premier League.

He becomes Southampton’s third January addition after the signings of Mislav Orsic and Carlos Alcaraz and is reunited with former Luton boss Nathan Jones at St Mary’s.

‘I’m absolutely delighted,’ Bree told the official Saints website.

‘As soon as I had the chance to come to this huge club, a Premier League opportunity for myself as well, and obviously get to work with my old gaffer, I knew it was the right decision straight away and I didn’t have to think twice about it.

‘It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a little kid, making my Premier League debut and obviously for a team as big as Southampton.

‘It’s something you dare to dream about.’