After leaving Leeds, Cairns had spells with Chesterfield and Rotherham, but neither club offered him first-team opportunities. Eventually, he found a home at Fleetwood Town, where he played goal for seven years, totaling 240 appearances between the sticks. Cairns was released in 2015. He had made one senior appearance for the club before being released. At half-time, he had replaced Paul Rachubka.
A move to Salford City followed and he was the first-choice stopper for the Ammies in League Two last term, appearing in all 46 league fixtures. As per Adam Pope of BBC Radio Leeds, he is now set to make a return to Elland Road.
Leeds are a man down in the goalkeeping department following Kristoffer Klaesson’s permanent switch to Polish outfit Raków Częstochowa. With Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow still on the books, it appears Cairns could arrive as third-choice stopper.
He also qualifies as a homegrown player, in another boost for the club who nurtured him within their academy. If he does indeed complete a move back to LS11, he could become the club’s second addition of the summer window.
Leeds have already signed defender Joe Rodon, securing his services from Tottenham Hotspur in a permanent deal.
