Incoming Leeds United signing Rodrigo Moreno has fond memories and unfinished business in England

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Leeds United fans will be hoping that Rodrigo Moreno can be a big hit at the club once he arrives from Valencia this summer. The Spanish side have now confirmed the deal, reported by Goal to be worth an initial £27 million, that will see the Spanish international head to Elland Road this summer. 

It will, however, not be Rodrigo’s first foray into English football. The 29-year-old had a spell on loan at Bolton Wanderers in 2010-11. Snapped up by Owen Coyle, the move has been regarded as a flop by some elements of the media in recent days but that would be unfair to the player. 

Rodrigo managed just one goal in 17 appearances for Bolton but most of those came as a substitute and he was only a youngster in his first real senior season. His progress was not helped by the arrival of Daniel Sturridge on loan from Chelsea in January 2011. 

Indeed, the incoming Leeds United man has fond memories of his time in England. In fact, judging by his comments, it would seem Leeds could be the perfect location for him. 

When it comes to knowing about history, Leeds fans are some of the more passionate in the country. 

“England was good to me,” Rodrigo told The Observer in 2018. “You go to England, you know the physical demands – you’ve got no choice but to adapt and that makes you grow. Working there daily helped. I enjoyed it…

“You have to adapt to the speed, the intensity. It’s always a step up from youth football and the Premier League is a step up again. It’s the most physical league, very dynamic, direct, back and forth.

“The way people live football is different, too. That’s what makes the Premier League so special, in that sense it’s better than the rest. It’s cultural, there’s respect for history.”

For years they have been waiting for their chance to return to the top-flight, where they feel they belong, and now they have done so they appear set to sign a player desperate to showcase what he can do in England now he has grown into a man. 

Leeds United fans will be confident his return will be far better than the one goal he managed a decade ago.