Daniel James on why wait to join Leeds United is worth it

Daniel James, at Elland Road on transfer deadline day. Picture courtesy of LUFC.

Dan James was grateful Leeds United kept the faith to make him Yorkshire’s biggest signing of the summer and believes the Whites are getting a much better player than the one they came so close to signing two-and-a-half years ago.

James was one of the most high-profile additions of a deadline day which saw Sheffield United loan Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen and promising midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, and neighbours Wednesday sign controversial striker Saido Berahino.

Leeds tried to sign Hull-born winger James in January 2019 only for the deal with Swansea City to collapse at the very last minute in front of a Netflix documentary crew.

But the Whites never lost interest in a player who moved to Manchester United in the next window, and the Red Devils’ shock signing of Cristiano Ronaldo made him surplus to requirements.

DEALS TO BE DONE: Sheffield United manager, Slavisa Jokanovic Picture: Simon Bellis / Sportimage

“I’m grateful the club still believed in me from that time two-and-a-half years ago,” said James after signing a five-year contract. “I’m happy to be here and I can’t wait to play in front of these fans. This is where I wanted to be.”

James’s Old Trafford career never lived up to a blist