Leeds United have signed Spanish full-back Junior Firpo on a four-year deal from Barcelona, and club owner Andrea Radrizzani is happy that the deal has been done.
The 24-year-old was one of the most exciting young players in La Liga during his days at Real Betis, but everything went south at Camp Nou, with Jordi Alba’s brilliant form and consistency preventing his development.
With Gjanni Alioski gone, Firpo has the chance to become Leeds’ undisputed starter at left-back. Radrizzani is looking forward to seeing him progress under Marcelo Bielsa.
“Look, we’ve been waiting for long,” he told the club’s official Twitter page. “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.
“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.
“And as well for him, for Firpo, it is a fantastic opportunity for Junior to play with Marcelo because as you know he is a demanding coach, and also he will transform his career, I’m pretty sure about that.”
📺 Junior is live! Watch the exclusive Q&A now as he answers questions from #LUFC fans, plus a special appearance from @andrearadri!
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 6, 2021
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Leeds have a top player on their hands, and Firpo will be looking forward to hitting the ground running in the Premier League after the last two disappointing campaigns.
Having joined Bielsa’s side in time for pre-season preparations, the former Spain youth international is on course to start against Manchester United next month.
Such a clash is a dream top-flight debut for anyone, and the former Barca man has plenty to prove going forward.
Firpo will be looking forward to forcing his way into Spain’s senior national side ahead of next summer’s World Cup and will need to impress in his debut Premier League campaign to have a chance.
Alba will be standing between the Leeds new man and a place in La Roja’s starting XI, and he has got a huge battle ahead of him to revive his international career.
Read: 2021 Premier League transfers.
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