Ronaldo Vieira didn’t as much ‘rise through the ranks’ as charge through it, destroying whatever ranks were there when he arrived. Now he’s been rewarded with an extended deal as per the Yorkshire Evening Post (YEP).
The youngster, who was with the York-based i2i Academy at the time, came to prominence after appearing for the Whites in an Under-21 fixture against an Isle of Man XI. Based on his performance in that game, the young Guineau-Bissau born player was signed to the Leeds United Academy at Thorp Arch.
A strange week towards the end of the 2015/16 season saw Ronaldo Vieira sign his first professional contract at Elland Road, as well as appearing in the final moments of the season’s final game against Preston North End.
The signs that Ronaldo Vieira would be able to handle the step up in class to the Sky Bet Championship were evident in his display against Serie A side Atalanta BC in Leeds’ last pre-season game. During this game, a 2-1 win for the Whites, Vieira kept the dangerous Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie quiet – Kessie being a target for Chelsea who had a £20 million plus bid turned down earlier this season.
Vieira made 34 appearances for Leeds this season, scoring his first league goal against Norwich City – a 35-yard screamer and providing one assist.
The four-year deal, a signal of a new world order at Elland Road under Andrea Radrizzani, has been well received by fans on Twitter, and many of these have commented on a tweet by the new Leeds United owner himself (below).
Congratulations @Ronaldo_Vieira8 ! @LUFC we are very proud of you. 4 more years together #mot pic.twitter.com/Q1afPPURch
— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) May 24, 2017
With Leeds United fans used to seeing more ‘short term n’ see’ deals for players, the four-year deal offered to Ronaldo Vieira seems to be a case of Leeds United changing their transfer tack. Not only that but there is an element of safeguarding the future, as mentioned by Phil Hay in the YEP. Here Hay says: “The extended deal agreed between him and United should ward off interest in Vieira during the forthcoming transfer window.”
Leeds United fans reply to Radrizzani congratulating Ronaldo Vieira on new deal
https://twitter.com/leahwallerx/status/867471393784573952
https://twitter.com/Quinny82LUFC/status/867460997581295618
https://twitter.com/robw123q/status/867466207150190592
https://twitter.com/RebelMC74/status/867484267156307968
Great to see an open owner giving a shit and actually praising the lads for deserving it. Well done. 20 million kitty for monk now lok
— jayjay82🏆 (@jwh1982) May 24, 2017
Feel like good 😊 times on the way back thank you for giving us long suffering fans hope MOT.
— R.Cartwright 💙💛 (@rogercart57) May 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/face33/status/867460726088237056
https://twitter.com/tomraino/status/867462214822789120
