Crysencio Summerville admits it ‘hurt’ to learn that Feyenoord wanted to sell him with the Leeds United winger now playing Premier League football at Elland Road.
Born and raised in Rotterdam, Summerville returned from a loan spell at ADO Den Haag in 2021 hoping to force his way into the first-team picture at his hometown club.
Instead, Summerville was sold to Leeds United only a few months later. Thus, denying the Netherlands U21 international the opportunity to make his long-awaited debut in the famous red-and-white shirt of the Rotterdam giants.
Summerville, speaking to Algemeen Dagblad, understands why opportunities at De Kuip were hard to come by. Feyenoord, after all, had Luciano Narsingh and the talismanic Steven Berghuis starting out wide at the time.
Crysencio Summerville left Feyenoord for Leeds United
But, still, learning that Feyenoord were willing to cash in – eventually selling Summerville for just £1.3 million – pained a player who will always have a special place in his heart for Arne Slot’s Eredivisie leaders.
“I absolutely did not demand a place (in the first team). I didn’t want an absurd salary,” Summerville explains.
“And then you get to the point where the club wants to sell you. Of course, it still hurts at times. I played (at Feyenoord) from the age of six. Maybe I’ll (return and) play there someday.”
This is not to say that Summerville wasn’t flattered to hear that Leeds wanted to offer him an opportunity in the Premier League. After a couple of years in the reserves, the 21-year-old is now a regular part of the first-team fixture, benefitting from the sale of Brazil international Raphinha to Barcelona while inheriting his number ten shirt.
“I looked at (Raphinha) and I thought; ‘That will be your podium, Cry’,” Summerville adds. “You reach a similar level in training, but it’s about the games.
“Raphinha forced a transfer to Barcelona, is with the Brazilian national team. I now see what you can achieve as your level rises.
“I saw how big players at Leeds always give everything. Always. I thought; ‘I have to think like that’.
“I have big plans, I dream big. When I signed for Leeds, I said to my dad; ‘I’m going to be a player who makes people want to come to the stadium’.
“I’m not there yet. Certainly not. But maybe I’m on my way.”
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