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Daniel James explains why he quit Man Utd for Leeds after 'unbelievable' Red Devils spell
Daniel James' transfer from Man Utd to Leeds United has been confirmed.
Transfer window potential deals
Daniel James has explained that he needed to switch Manchester United for Leeds United to help progress his football career. The Wales international has joined the Lilywhites in a transfer believed to be worth around £25million.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensational return to United has pushed James further down Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pecking order for the attacking positions.
The Portuguese has gone back to Old Trafford 12 years after departing in a then-world record £90m move to Real Madrid.
James has started twice this season, including in the 5-1 thrashing of Leeds, but has struggled to make an impact.
The 23-year-old was signed in a £20m deal from Swansea City in the summer of 2019 and enjoyed a successful start.
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However, he has found regular football difficult to find and has now joined Leeds.
The winger has said that he has evolved as a player since he was close to joining Marcelo Bielsa’s side two and-a-half years ago.
“I think for me, my football career, it was completely the right decision. Don't get me wrong I had an unbelievable time and made great friends,” James told Sky Sports.
“The staff were amazing to me and the fans. For me it's my time to move on career-wise and moving forward. I'm looking forward to it.
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“I'm a different player and person. I'd only played half a season when I nearly signed here last time.
“I've got more games under my belt at the top level and I'd like to think I can add something else here.”
James nearly signed for Leeds in January 2019, six months before he completed his move to Man Utd.
Then a Swansea City player, he had gone as far as posing with a Leeds shirt before the deal collapsed at the last minute on deadline day.
✍️ #LUFC is delighted to ������������������������������������������ confirm the signing of Dan James
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 31, 2021
James has joked that sitting in the club’s boardroom felt like deja vu.
He continued: “Bit of a whirlwind for me, a crazy time. I'm here now and I'm grateful for the club to believe in me and have interest in me from that time two and a half years ago.
“I'm happy to be here now. I can't wait to play in front of these fans. I think there's always been interest since I nearly signed from Swansea.
“It's all kind of happened the last day or two, it happened very quick. This is where I want to be moving forward. It feels brilliant.
“We made a couple of jokes in the boardroom, 'Is it actually done now?' because last time I'd signed everything and it fell through at the last minute. Today feels like deja vu.
“I'm delighted that everything is over the line. Go on internationals now and then looking forward to getting back and playing that first game against Liverpool.”