Rodrigo has revealed that he texted Pablo Hernandez after completing his club-record move to Leeds United.
The 29-year-old has become the Whites’ most expensive player of all time after joining from Valencia in a deal that cost the Premier League new boys £30 million, according to The Guardian.
Rodrigo, a 22-cap Spain international, had spent the last six years at the Mestalla – including one loan season – and his trajectory is similar to that of Hernandez, who also moved to England from the Liga side in 2012 when he signed for Swansea City.
And Hernandez, who played a huge role in helping Leeds win promotion from the Championship last season, is the first United player that the new boy touched base with after joining.
Rodrigo, who also knows a couple of other Leeds players, told LUTV: “Pablo Hernandez played in Valenica also. I text him this morning just to say hello. With Kiko [Casilla] I play with him in the national team once and I played also with Helder Costa when he was at Benfica. Knowing these players is important to me for my adaptation into the club.”
It’s clear that Leeds aren’t signing him with the intention of potentially getting a big re-sale fee down the line, because he turns 30 in March.
Rodrigo is simply being signed to help Marcelo Bielsa’s side survive and thrive on their return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence.
If he plays a significant role in helping the Elland Road club stay in the top flight next term, retaining the financial spoils of being an elite club, then the £30 million investment will have been worth it.
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