Leeds do not intend to neglect local talent.
Leeds United have invested a lot in bringing in players from abroad to boost their under-23 squad this summer.
Players have joined from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Deportivo’s academies among others, with the Whites utilising their new scouting network to try and bring in players from across Europe.
This has led to questions over whether local kids could end up losing out, but sporting director Victor Orta insists there will be renewed focus on identifying top English talents, with a focus on Yorkshire.
Orta told Leeds United’s Facebook page: “We are building a new UK recruitment department focusing on talents in England, so we don’t miss any talents in Yorkshire.
“It is very important to get the best talent in Yorkshire, best in the UK, and bring talent from across Europe.”
The one saving grace for Leeds over the past decade has been the steady production of talented player through their academy.
Fabian Delph, Jonny Howson, Lewis Cook, Sam Byram and Charlie Taylor are among the star names who have come through locally, but Leeds being outside the top flight meant they could not hang onto them.
Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips are recently flying the flag for local talent in the first team after breaking through from the academy.
Orta’s comments suggests that Leeds are not going to ignore their duty to find the best local talent despite the new wave of exciting players arriving from Spain.
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