Leeds United’s whirlwind of late transfer deals has reignited optimism at Elland Road, transforming the mood among supporters.
Only three weeks ago, following a lacklustre draw against West Bromwich Albion, the atmosphere surrounding the club was grim.
The departure of Georginio Rutter and a worrying absence of new signings led to concerns that another mediocre campaign might be on the cards.
However, much like the previous summer, Leeds decided to shake things up as the transfer window neared its close. The club managed to complete a flurry of deals in the final days, leaving fans hopeful that their side is now equipped to make a serious push for promotion.
In the last eight days before the deadline, Leeds brought in four players, with the arrival of Largie Ramazani from UD Almeria marking the beginning of the business.
Soon after, Manor Solomon, Ao Tanaka, and Isaac Schmidt were also secured, leaving the squad looking stronger. Though there are still calls for a creative playmaker, or number 10, the additions have addressed key areas of concern and given the team more depth.
The signing of Manor Solomon has been viewed as the standout piece of business. The Israeli international brings significant experience and quality, making his capture a coup for Leeds.
The club had to fend off interest from both Getafe and Ajax, who were keen on taking the 25-year-old on loan. In the end, Solomon’s desire to remain in England tipped the scales in Leeds’ favour, securing a key attacking talent.
But it wasn’t only Solomon who Leeds had to battle for. According to The Athletic, the acquisition of Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka was also a hard-fought victory.
The 24-year-old was on the radar of several clubs, including Scottish champions Celtic, Danish outfit Midtjylland, and Serie A’s Como.
Despite these options, Tanaka saw Leeds as the ideal next step in his career, rejecting the lure of European football this season for the opportunity to play a pivotal role at Elland Road.
Tanaka’s ambition to one day feature in the Champions League is clear, and by joining Leeds, he has chosen a project where he believes he can grow and develop.
His decision is particularly impressive considering Celtic’s established contingent of Japanese internationals – including Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Daizen Maeda – who might have provided a comfortable transition to life in European football.
However, the allure of Leeds and their Championship campaign proved too tempting for the midfield maestro, who had been labelled ‘incredible’ by Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna in July.
The Japanese international wasted no time in showing what he can offer, making his debut in Leeds’ 2-0 victory over Hull City. Although only on the pitch for a brief period, Tanaka made an immediate impact.
Farke gave him the nod with just four minutes remaining, and he quickly set about demonstrating his quality, showcasing his precision and composure.
According to Opta’s Leeds United statistician Jonny Cooper, Tanaka managed to complete 18 passes in the short time he was on the pitch.
This impressive stat places him amongst the highest pass-completion rates for a late substitute since Opta began recording Championship data in 2013/14. Only two players have managed more when entering a match from the bench after the 86th minute.
Tanaka’s seamless transition into the side has given Leeds fans even more reason to believe that they’ve uncovered a bargain, and his presence in midfield could be key as the club aims for promotion back to the Premier League.