LEEDS left it late to land Brazilian speedster Raphinha from Rennes for around £16million.
The winger, 23, penned a four-year after bagging a goal and assist for the Ligue 1 club on Sunday.
Raphinha has joined Leeds from Rennes in a late moveCredit: https://www.leedsunited.com/
The fee could rise to £20.6m despite the delay to announce his signature there was no need for a work permit because the Latin American holds an Italian passport.
The pacey forward only joined Rennes last summer after spells in Portugal for Vitoria Guimaraes and Sporting.
And he caught Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa’s eye cutting inside on to his left foot as Rennes qualified for the Champions League after finishing third last season.
Raphinha notched five goals in 22 matches during the curtailed French campaign.
Rennes last week drew Chelsea, Sevilla and Krasnodar in the Champions League group stage.
But the attacker has opted to start a Premier League adventure with Leeds, rather than playing in Europe’s elite competition.
He becomes the Whites’ 13th signing of a window headlined by the arrivals of Rodrigo, Diego Llorente and Robin Koch.
It takes Leeds’ summer spending to over £90m, with Bielsa still hopeful of landing Norwich’s Todd Cantwell.
The Brazilian impressed in FranceCredit: AFP or licensors
They have until October 16 to secure the midfielder, having already bid £15m.
Cantwell, 22, impressed in the Canaries’ doomed Premier League campaign last season.
And Daniel Farke’s side are believed to want more than £20m – having already lost Jamal Lewis and Ben Godfrey.
On playing under Marcelo Bielsa, Raphinha said: “From what I’ve been told, he’s a very demanding coach and he really works the players to the limit.
“This is a new challenge to me and I like this type of demand on a player, so I will give my all.
“It’s a very important next step in my career. All players dream of coming to the Premier League and for me it is a dream come true.
“I think I can show my football, I can show Raphinha’s football to the fans and make them happy. I will give my all and contribute to the group so we can meet our objectives.”
New Leeds signing Diego Llorente says it is an honour to be joining the club
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
