Valencia Releases Rodrigo Moreno to Leeds United

DBasia.news – Leeds United have agreed to sign Spanish striker Rodrigo Moreno from Valencia after returning to the Premiere League 16 years ago.

The club’s statement did not mention a transfer fee or details of the contract awarded by Leeds, but reports in the Spanish media said the English club would spend around 30 million euros plus 10 million euros under the agreement between the two clubs.

“In principle Valencia have reached an agreement with Leeds United for the transfer of Rodrigo, depending on the player who passes the medical and all documentation and formalities are finalized,” the La Liga team said as reported by Reuters on Wednesday.

Rodrigo scored 59 goals in 220 games for Valencia. He is the latest key player to be sold after captains Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin moved to rivals Villarreal this month, sparking renewed protests against club owner Peter Lim.

The 29-year-old spent time at the youth academy of Flamengo and Real Madrid before starring at Benfica and then Valencia.

Rodrigo already has experience in English football when he made 17 appearances in the Premiere League with Bolton on loan from Benfica in the 2010/11 season.

“England is good to me. You go to England, you know the physical demands – you have no choice but to adapt and it makes you grow,” he told British newspaper The Guardian in 2018.

“Working there every day helps. I was involved, it was my first senior season and I learned a lot.”

Rodrigo’s qualities made him the favorite forward of Spain national team coach Luis Enrique and his predecessor Robert Moreno.

He has returned their trust by scoring six goals in his last nine games for the Matador side.

Rodrigo scored just seven goals in all competitions last season amid injury and turmoil at Valencia, who sacked fans’ favorite Marcelino in September and eventually finished ninth.