Leeds United have a strong Spanish connection
Revie Stand, Elland Road
Despite Italian owner Andrea Radrizzani taking charge, Leeds United suddenly have a strong Spanish connection.
Technical director Victor Orta and his coaching staff hail from Spain while new boss Thomas Christiansen is an ex-Spanish international.
Playmaker Pablo Hernandez has represented Spain himself, and Estadio Deportivo report the Whites are trying to sign Samu Saiz.
Another player they should seek to target is Spain’s lost international striker, Adrian Lopez.
Lopez is currently playing for Porto but is no longer wanted by the Primeira Liga side, and has been sent out on loan to Villarreal for the past two seasons.
Adrian Lopez scores for Porto
In 2011 he was part of the Spain under-21 European Championship winning side, along with Juan Mata and Thiago Alcantara.
While they have gone on to become stars, Lopez’s career has floundered.
He represented Spain at international level twice, scoring once, but could not establish himself at Atletico Madrid with his path blocked by Radamel Falcao at the time and then Diego Costa.
Adrian Lopez
He moved to Porto in 2014 but scored only once for the club before being sent on loan the last two seasons.
Lopez is known to Leeds United’s current assistant boss Julio Banuelos, who was a coach at Alaves in 2008 while the striker was on loan at the club as a teenager.
The forward is now 29 and in need of a fresh challenge. Joining Leeds United’s Spanish revolution would provide that, a welcome change of scenery where he could get his career back on track, and stepping down a level could allow him to enjoy his football once again.
Adrian Lopez (L) celebrates with Bojan
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