It had been ‘news’ since early September last year when the story first broke, now Leeds United fans have official confirmation that Yosuke Ideguchi is a Leeds United player.
The initial stories grew out of something said by Director of Football Victor Orta in response to a question whilst hosting a Facebook Live event. He mentioned, about the arrival of Pawel Cibicki, that Leeds United were after a star from Asia.
That ‘star’ was revealed to be Japan international midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi, a story carried on Yahoo Japan helping to reveal this. Dribs and drabs of stories leaked out, the jigsaw finally beginning to take a more complete shape.
The news from Leeds United that a fee has been agreed, a medical planned and a loan deal sorted (due to work permit issues) merely slotted the last of the piece in to create the completed picture.
Ideguchi’s capture is something of a coup for Leeds United, such is the level of regard that the rising Blue Samurai is held in. Whilst no figure has been mentioned by United, according to a tweet by Phil Hay on his Twitter feed, Ideguchi will cost Leeds United £500,000.
That figure, if correct, adds to the sense that the Whites have snapped up something of a bargain in Ideguchi. News of his confirmed capture has also gotten Leeds United fans commenting on Twitter.
Ideguchi confirmed, Leeds fans comment on Twitter
Never too early to break news this good 😎. This lads real quality for next season.
— Colin Carmichael (@ColinCarmichae2) January 4, 2018
Lufc never sleeps #graft 😎
— SMILEY BADGE 🍻🇬🇧 (@BadgeSmiley) January 4, 2018
Jspanese Messi 👍
— englandLeedsLDS (@WhinmoorWhite) January 4, 2018
He will immediately go to play in Spain so he should be fit for the WC Finals. Next season he’ll certainly play if he proves himself good enough. 👍🏻
— Tommy (@tommy_lufc) January 4, 2018
I’m just here to eye roll at the moaners who will no doubt be unhappy about this for unknown reasons 🙄
— Jamie Merry (@jaymerry91) January 4, 2018
This helps getting up for work easier. We got a big day to come @andrearadri the early bird catches the worm but I’ll settle for a few first team signings.
— Ryan Burrow (@ryanbuzz1985) January 4, 2018
Ideguchi and Vieira in midfield next season🔥
— BC (@BC_LUFC) January 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/JayBlufc/status/948844197641113601
IDEGUCHI BABY
IDEGUCHI WOOAAHHHH— ALAW (@ALAW116) January 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/leeds_ben/status/948825010839236608
Whilst Leeds United won’t be able to use their new signing until next season, the Whites loaning him out to ‘partner club’ Cultural Leonesa will at least allow them to track his development. Added to that, he’s almost a nailed-on cert for Japan for the upcoming World Cup in Russia this summer.