Sean Longstaff is a brand new Leeds United player and he has shared what Karl Darlow said that helped convince him to leave Newcastle United.
Leeds United completed their fifth signing of the summer transfer window late on Friday night when they announced the arrival of Sean Longstaff.
Leeds have signed Longstaff from Newcastle United in a £15m move, with £12m guaranteed and an additional £3m in bonuses.
Longstaff has signed a four-year contract at Elland Road after completing his first permanent move away from Newcastle since signing for the club aged nine.
Even though Longstaff had fallen down the pecking order at St. James’ Park, leaving your local and boyhood club after nearly 20 years is still a massive decision to make.
However, his former Newcastle teammate Karl Darlow helped make it easier by explaining what a ‘good group’ he would be joining in Yorkshire.
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Karl Darlow helps Leeds United complete Sean Longstaff transfer
Speaking in an entertaining and interesting interview with Michael Bridges upon signing for the club, Longstaff discussed how he has already had the chance to meet all his new teammates at Thorp Arch.
However, there was one familiar face in the form of goalkeeper Darlow, with the pair playing together at Newcastle for years.
Longstaff actually revealed that he spoke to Darlow a lot before making the switch, and that the Welshman’s insight into the squad helped him make the decision to become a part of it.
“Obviously, Darlow. Talked to Darlow straight away,” he said when asked who he had met at the club.
“But I’ve gotten to meet everyone, it seems like a really good group. I’ve heard great things.
“Obviously, I spoke to Karl a lot about the team and the club, and he said: ‘There’s nothing but good things about the group and you’ll absolutely love it.’
“For me, you just want to settle in as quick as possible. I think everyone’s sort of been really nice.
“It’s a small world, football, so everyone will know someone. It’s a great way to meet everyone and get to know them a bit better and end up on the pitch together.”
How Leeds United convinced Sean Longstaff to leave Newcastle United
As well as Darlow’s strong recommendation, Leeds helped sway his decision by making him feel ‘wanted’ and a key part of Daniel Farke’s plans.
Longstaff had fallen out of favour at Newcastle, slipping behind Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Joe Willock and even Lewis Miley.
But now Longstaff has a strong chance of becoming a regular Premier League starter again.
He said: “I think there is something to be said for a team that wants you and a club that really wants you.
“I think from the first time I spoke to Leeds, I sort of got a feeling that they really wanted me.
“Being an academy player, sometimes you don’t get that all the time. To get that feeling of want and this is what we want, and you’re part of the plans. It’s really exciting.
“It just fills you full of confidence, and it just makes you want to repay those people. It is a massive, massive football club similar to Newcastle in a lot of ways.
“It was going to take a lot for us to leave Newcastle, to be honest, and I wasn’t just going to leave to go anywhere, so it had to be the right place for me and my family, and I think this is a perfect place.”
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