Joe Rothwell had the opportunity to speak to a number of former Leeds United players prior to giving the green light to his loan move from Bournemouth.
Rothwell officially joined on a season-long-loan deal from the Cherries on Thursday in a move that was first rumoured and then completed within a matter of hours.
Both Leeds and Bournemouth have completed a number of transfer dealings with each other over the last 12 months, with Rothwell the fourth player to move from one club to the other.
Tyler Adams was the first to go from Leeds to Bournemouth and it was not long after that Luis Sinisterra followed him on loan, with Jaidon Anthony coming the other way.
Anthony is now back at Bournemouth after his loan spell at Elland Road and so is one of three players Rothwell had the opportunity to speak to about the prospect of playing for Leeds.
Anthony endorsed Leeds move to Rothwell this week
Given their involvement at the Copa America, Adams and Sinisterra may not have been so readily available to speak to. That’s probably a good thing, too, given how their time at Leeds ended.
Anthony, on the other hand, was back alongside Rothwell for day one of pre-season at Bournemouth, having been on opposite benches for the play-off final at Wembley.
Anthony has already effectively confirmed himself that he will not be returning to Leeds permanently, having made just two league starts all season.
However, there were certainly no hard feelings from either party about his loan spell, and according to Leeds Live, Anthony played a key role in Rothwell deciding Leeds was the right move.
As per the report, Anthony ‘waxed lyrical’ to Rothwell about how his time at Leeds went, particularly pointing towards the support he received from everyone at the club, including fans, following the death of his mother.
It is also said that Rothwell spoke to former Leeds striker Kemar Roofe, with the two having played together at Oxford United earlier in their careers.
What Rothwell will bring to Farke’s Leeds
LeedsUnited.News spoke to Southampton FC News writer Fraser Spinney regarding what Rothwell could bring to Leeds following his loan spell at St. Mary’s in the second half of last season.
Though he says the jury remains out on whether he will be a good signing, Rothwell has some impressive attributes that could fit well at Leeds.
He said: “Ball carrying is probably his main asset but it is more difficult to demonstrate in a Martin side. Ball striking is also a big one, think that’s one of the reasons Martin wanted him so we had someone capable of shooting from distance.
“His passing let him down for Saints and he isn’t particularly great out of possession, winning duels etc.”
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