YEP 8/7/21 Andrea Radrizzani believes Marcelo Bielsa can 'transform' Junior Firpo's career at Leeds United
Junior Firpo can transform his career at Leeds United under Marcelo Bielsa, says owner Andrea Radrizzani.
By Joe Urquhart
The Whites filled their left-back vacancy by landing the
signature of Firpo from La Liga giants Barcelona this week.
United parted with €15m plus add ons in the transfer while
the Catalan club will hold a 20 per cent sell-on clause in any future sale.
Marcelo Bielsa and sporting director Victor Orta made a
left-sided full-back their top priority this summer and have beaten a number of
clubs to the signing of the former Real Betis man.
Serie A outfit AC Milan were among those to hold interest
but Firpo will now link with his new team-mates at Elland Road.
Outgoing left-back Gjanni Alioski was a key part of the
Whites' defence last season swapping with Stuart Dallas on occasion but the Macedonian
will no longer be employed in West Yorkshire after failing to agree terms of a
new contract.
Firpo, though, has taken up the number three shirt and looks
set to solve Bielsa's long-standing problem of not having a natural first
choice in the position in his senior squad.
“Look, we’ve been waiting for a long time,” Radrizzani told
the club’s official site.
“Every week, I was expecting news from Junior’s agent and
Victor. And finally, during the weekend, I got the feedback that he liked our
proposal and he liked to join us, so we’re very happy and I think we put it out
there an important element to continue to grow our club in what we deserve to
be, and we’ll continue to grow, I’m sure about that.
