Leeds United are an outfit renowned for their commitment to youth. This is something that was resurrected under Andrea Radrizzani’s ownership after it was left fallow by former owner Massimo Cellino as a cost-cutting measure. Look to the first-team at Elland Road for evidence of that. However, that meant nothing to Ipswich Town youngster Armando Dobra who turned down Whites interest to sign a new deal at Portman Road. The reasons for doing so are carried in this story from the East Anglian Daily Times (EADT).
The three-year deal that Dobra signed came after Brighton and Hove Albion had a £500,000 January offer dismissed and with the Seagulls still hovering during his contract negotiations. This was relayed in a different EADT article, one that linked in interest from Leeds United.
That interest is now by the wayside what with the youngster signing on for a longer deal at Portman Road. He has featured eight times for the Tractor Boys first-team this season, including three League One appearances against Accrington Stanley, Blackpool and Coventry City. His most productive appearances have been in the EFL Trophy where he provided three assists and he also scored a goal against Luton Town in the EFL Cup.
Despite the interest in him, Dobra was more than keen to extend his time at Ipswich Town. He was also quick to comment on the reasoning he had extending his deal rather than being tempted by interest from elsewhere. First and foremost the London-born 19-year-old said: “I’m really happy to have got things sorted with the new contract and now I just want to focus on the football and showing the manager I deserve to play.”
Dobra then continued by mentioning that chances to play first-team football were also a deciding factor. On this, he said: “That was a big part of my decision because the club gives a lot of chances to their young players and I know that if I train well and perform then I will get my chance to play.”
Now he’s signed a more secure deal at Portman Road, the next step for Armand Dobra is to tie down a more secure spot in Paul Lambert’s Town side.
