CONNOR ROBERTS JOINS LEEDS UNITED ON LOAN — Leedsunited.com 1/2/24
Leeds United are delighted to confirm the arrival of Connor Roberts on loan from Premier League side Burnley, until the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
Roberts moves to Elland Road with vast experience of playing
in the Sky Bet Championship, having won the division and secured promotion with
the Clarets last season.
At the end of that campaign, the Welshman was named in both
the EFL Championship Team of the Season, along with the PFA Team of the Year.
The 28-year-old defender also has over 50 caps at
international level, having represented Wales at UEFA Euro 2020, as well as the
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
So far this season, Roberts has made 16 appearances in all
competitions for Burnley, being deployed on both the right and the left
hand-side of the defence when called upon.
In his early career Connor progressed through the academy at
Swansea City, playing alongside both Dan James and Joe Rodon, who he now links
back up with, as well as international teammate Ethan Ampadu.
He will wear the number 33 shirt and could make his Whites
debut against Rotherham United in the Sky Bet Championship at Elland Road next
weekend.
Speaking after signing for the Whites, Roberts spoke
exclusively to LUTV.
He said: “I think for me personally, it’s a massive
opportunity to come and play for such a big club like Leeds United.
“It’s something I couldn’t say no to and to hopefully be
part of something special come the end of the season is what I am aiming for,
and everyone in that dressing room is aiming for.
“If I can contribute both on and off the pitch in every way
possible, hopefully we can all be smiling.
“I have got plenty of friends here who play here and tell me
about what an amazing club it is, it’s something that I couldn’t turn down.
“To even get to play a handful of games for this massive
club, it will be an absolute privilege.”
Having played over 50 times for his country, there are some
familiar faces Roberts will be linking back up with at Thorp Arch.
The defender spoke about his fellow countrymen Dan James,
Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon, as well as other players he knows here.
“They obviously love it,” Roberts said, about the players
already at the club.
“If I am honest, even if they weren’t here, I would still
liked to have come. But, the fact they are here obviously helps.
“I know the Welsh lads, I know Joel Piroe from Swansea and I
also know Patrick Bamford from way back at Middlesbrough.
“I know plenty of faces and hopefully I can get underway,
slot right in and feel part of the squad, the team and hopefully contribute to
success.”
