Former Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United man Tom Lees is reportedly in talks over a move to Peterborough United following his exit from Huddersfield Town this summer.
The central defender is now a free agent following the expiration of his contract with The Terriers, and it is seemingly appearing that he could well be given another chance in League One.
Peterborough United Initiate Talks With Lees
Reports from Football League World on Monday suggest that The Posh have made their move, engaging the veteran defender in transfer talks as the 34-year-old still remains without a club.
Earlier on in the transfer window, League Two outfit Harrogate Town were linked with a move for Lees, but talks of another Yorkshire switch have since died down.
Lees’ Footballing Journey To Date
The 34-year-old has played the majority of his career in the Yorkshire area, having his first shot under contract at Leeds United. Lees worked his way up from the youth ranks at Elland Road, eventually going on to make 135 appearances for the club on a first-team level.
Lees then moved to Sheffield Wednesday in the summer of 2014, and over a 7-year spell the experienced defender racked up an impressive 274 appearances with the Owls.
In recent years, Lees had been on the books of Huddersfield Town and, across his four-year stay at the Accu Stadium, the veteran defender appeared 155 times and was a vital part of the project at the club.
What Kind Of Pedigree Does Lees Possess?
A seasoned professional, Lees would add a significant level of experience to Peterborough United’s current squad. He has a very strong reputation as a consummate footballer and has also managed to win the affection of multiple managers during his career to date.
Earlier on in the year, former Huddersfield manager Micheal Duff was full of praise for the now 34-year-old when speaking to the Yorkshire Post, “Watching Leesy (Tom Lees) in training and warm-ups, he does everything to perfection and he is in the gym, never cutting any corners. It’s another way of leading.”
The 34-year-old was further praised by Duff, who said, “Sometimes, he is easily criticised as people see the things he can’t do. What they don’t see if the things he does.” the ex-Huddersfield boss continued.
Lees was among the large group of high-profile senior players who were released from Huddersfield Town off the back of the 2024/2025 season in which more than a dozen experienced heads were told to find new clubs.
Why Are Peterborough United In for Lees?
Darren Ferguson’s Posh were the worst team in the whole of League One in keeping the ball out of their own net last season, and Peterborough UITED further proved some of these defensive weaknesses in their opening match of the new campaign against Cardiff City.
Director of Football Barry Fry has already taken steps to address the issues at the back for Peterborough, with the summer signings of two new goalkeepers and further defensive options arriving at the club. However, The Posh are still wanting to add further depth in this area.
Lees Would Bring Stability To Peterborough
Following hundreds of appearances across all levels of English football, Lees would bring masses of experience to a Posh side who don’t really possess such levels of experience at the moment.
With the majority of his career spent in the Championship, until two seasons ago following Huddersfield’s relegation, the levels of footballing knowledge that the 34-year-old defender would bring to a very youthful Peterborough is a massive positive.
If Lees was to join The Posh, it would instantly skyrocket the clubs average player age. Against Cardiff City in their 2025/2026 season opener, the mean year of the Starting Xi in that game was 22.7, a figure of which was the second lowest in the division.
Amid some worries around the club of a potential relegation fight this season, having someone in through the door with the defender’s know-how should hopefully make such situation much less likely.
Lees’ wasn’t involved in any training camps or friendlies organised by the PFA for Free Agents this summer, which does mean that his match fitness won’t quite be ready if an agreement were to be reached between the 34-year-old and Peterborough United.
As Peterborough look to strengthen their defensive outlets before the end of the transfer window, would the signing of 34-year-old Lees be good enough? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
