Hugo Diaz turned back on dream club to join Leeds United, looks inspired choice

Follow us on Google Discover

Leeds United youngster made a gamble, and it looks to be paying off.

Injuries in the Leeds United defence have provided opportunities to a couple of young players in recent matches.

Paudie O’Connor has started the last two games, and Hugo Diaz came off the bench for the final 20 minutes against Presto North End.

Diaz signed for Leeds last summer amid a cluster of imports from various Spanish clubs, and his decision is already paying off.

Diaz’s move to Leeds was a brave one, as he turned his back on hometown club Deportivo La Coruna.

Newspaper La Opinion A Coruna reported last year how Diaz spent two years in Deportivo’s academy, before rejecting the option to stay for a third year.

He was not convinced by their offer, and to save face they rescinded it, before he decided Leeds was his best option.

Diaz explained it was a tough choice, commenting: “I’m from Deportivo, it was my dream, but you have to look for your life.”

Speaking about his first impressions of Leeds, he commented of the under-23 team, “It will come, I’m working well and the team wants to play from the back, I like that.”

He was just four-years-old when Leeds met Deportivo in the Champions League, and said that while he did not remember it, his dad recounted the famous matches.

Now 21, Diaz’s decision to try his luck at Elland Road is showing signs of paying off, and he could even get his first start for the Whites before the season is over.