Victor Orta wanted Bryce Hosannah at Middlesbrough, youngster’s first impressions of Leeds United

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Bryce Hosannah’s father Roger has been speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post this week and has suggested Leeds United director of football Victor Orta was key to the youngster’s move to Elland Road in 2017. 

He explained that Orta was initially keen to take Hosannah to former club Middlesbrough, as it became clear he did not have a long-term future at former club Crystal Palace. 

Moves to Germany and The Netherlands were also in the offing, but Orta maintained his interest after leaving Teesside and ending up at Leeds United. 

When Leeds came knocking, Hosannah quickly took his opportunity on trial and earned a place at the Thorp Arch academy.

“He was actually going to sign with Twente in Holland…He was working out with QPR and injured his ankle which shut down the rest of the season but Twente kept it open for him and he was actually in Holland when his representative, Rob Moore, spoke to Victor Orta, at Middlesbrough.

“When Victor moved to Leeds, Rob got a call asking if Bryce was still available. Rob said he’s in Holland, but he would prefer to stay in England, we’ll need a quick decision.

“He went up to Leeds for a week’s trial, played in two friendlies and never returned.”

Roger Hosannah also went on to explain how heading to Leeds was a massive step up, even from a Premier League club like Crystal Palace. 

“When he first signed, he said ‘dad, this is a different level to Crystal Palace’.

“Not just working on a day-to-day basis with Marcelo but seeing his background and what he’s done in the past with the national teams and Bilbao.

“My son knows he’s in a very privileged position.”

It is no surprise to hear that Orta was relentless in his pursuit of Hosannah. The Spaniard is a dogged negotiator when he decides on a target and improving the standard of the Leeds United youth-team was one of his first priorities when arriving in West Yorkshire.

As for Hosannah, injuries have unfortunately blighted his time at Leeds but he has been in fine form this season and went on the pre-season tour of Australia with the Leeds United first-team last summer. 

Hopefully, he can continue to impress and, in the long-run, prove Orta’s determination justified.