The Swiss defender is the perfect Championship player.
There is no doubt that since Massimo Cellino’s arrival at Leeds United there have been some rather forgettable arrivals from Italian football, often targeted and recruited by former director of football Nicola Salerno.
The list is long. Adryan, Edgar Cani, Granddi Ngoyi, Dario del Fabro, Tommaso Bianchi, Zan Benedicic, Giuseppe Bellusci – Leeds have brought in some real duds.
Leeds United Chairman Massimo Cellino
But among it all they have got their hands on a genuinely brilliant Championship defender in the form of Swiss international Gaetano Berardi.
He arrived from Sampdoria in 2014 after a struggle for first-team football with the Blucerchiati and looked something of an uninspiring arrival at Elland Road.
But his characteristics are perfectly suited to the club and the Championship.
Berardi is versatile, being able to play at both right and left-back, and is a tenacious ball winner. He may be small but he packs a bite and is not afraid to get stuck in with the biggest of Championship players.
Leeds’ Gaetano Berardi in action with Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew
Berardi is the type of player that will leave everything on the line for his team’s cause, something that Leeds United fans demand. This is why, compared to the majority of Cellino-Salerno arrivals, Berardi has win over the Leeds faithful during his time at Elland Road.
If he could help drag them to promotion his stock would rise even higher.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
