Leeds United’s Fujita comments on new signing Ideguchi

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Leeds United have already tied up a deal for Yosuke Ideguchi.

New Leeds United signing Yosuke Ideguchi has been backed for success by Japanese compatriot Toshiya Fujita.

Fujita was appointed at Leeds as Head of Football Development earlier this season, following up a playing career which saw him represent Japan at international level.

Fujita says that current Japan international Ideguchi can be a coup for the Whites, and dreams of starring in the Premier League.

He told Japanese newspaper Sportiva that Leeds are currently a stepping stone towards the top flight, but ideally he will achieve this with them, praising Ideguchi’s ‘strength and potential’.

Fujita said: “Scouts are buying prospects. Because the Championship is a fair league, we can test how much he can possibly demonstrate. His goal is of course to be active in the Premier League, so the Championship is the best place to prepare for it.

“For Leeds, returning to the Premier League is also the supporters’ dream. He can fight in the championship with them. It is good plan. I want him to leap from there.”

Fujita added that Ideguchi has a big responsibility – hoping that he can succeed at Leeds and open the door to more Japanese players to flourish in England.

He said: “He is also an index to Japan’s top players how much they can do in England.”

Before playing for Leeds, Ideguchi must fulfil criteria to be granted his work permit, which means going on loan to a club in the EU until the rest of the season.

This can potentially help the midfielder get closer to his goal, and if he is extremely lucky, by time he arrives at Leeds in the summer, the club could already be a Premier League team if they are successful in this season’s promotion battle.