Leeds confirm club-record transfer as Spain striker Rodrigo joins from Valencia in £30m deal
Leeds have confirmed the signing of Rodrigo from Valencia for a club-record fee.
The Whites have completed their first marquee signing since sealing their long-awaited return to the Premier League, by bringing the Spain international to Elland Road in a deal worth £30million.
Rodrigo managed seven goals and 11 assists in 34 games for Valencia last season
The 29-year-old scored 59 goals in 220 games for Valencia since joining from Benfica in 2014, having initially joined on loan.
“I’m really excited and very happy to join the club in this important season for all of us,” he told the club’s Twitter account.
“It’s a new step in my career and I want to help the team to achieve the goals of the season.
“Leeds have been working for two weeks on this deal with Valencia, we knew Valencia have some problems now as we didn’t achieve the Champions League.
“Since the first time Victor (Orta, director of football) talked to me I knew I wanted this new challenge with Leeds.
“I will be working with one of the best coaches (Marcelo Bielsa) in football, he has done important things in different clubs and I’m excited to learn.”
The Brazilian-born ace came through the ranks at Rio de Janeiro-based Flamengo, before moving to Spain to join the youth academy at Celta Viga and then making a move to Real Madrid at 18.
He made appearances in Real’s C and B teams before joining Benfica in 2010, where he scored 45 goals in 120 games and won the Portuguese title.
During his career with the Portuguese giants, he enjoyed a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers but only managed one goal for the Trotters, and then joined Valencia on loan before eventually making the more permanent.
Back in Spain, Rodrigo became Valencia’s key frontman and helped fire the club to the Copa del Rey in 2018/19, where he scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Barcelona.
Tony Cascarino backs Leeds to be one of the best promoted sides ever
New Leeds striker Rodrigo scored the winning goal for Valencia in their 2018/19 Copa del Rey final victory over Barcelona
Rodrigo spent the 2010/11 season on loan at Bolton, and is now returned to English football
Valencia have already seen some key players leave this summer as they battle financial issues, with Rodrigo’s former team-mate Ferran Torres having signed for Manchester City.
Leeds have turned loan spells for Helder Costa and Illan Meslier into permanent deals so far, as well as bringing back Jack Harrison on another season-long loan from the Etihad.
They have also boosted their youth team with the captures of Joe Gelhardt, Charlie Allen and Cody Drameh.
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