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George Bennett

Mateusz Klich opens up on 'difficult' Leeds United exit as he chases the 'American dream'

Mateusz Klich admits it was 'difficult' to leave Leeds United but was captivated by the 'American dream' at DC United.

The Polish international left Elland Road after almost six years at the club, and played an instrumental role in leading the Whites into the Premier League via the Championship title in 2020.

After falling down the pecking order under Jesse Marsch, Klich wished an emotional farewell to the Elland Road faithful last month, and joined Wayne Rooney's DC United.

DC United finished rock bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference last season, but Klich believes the appeal of living in the United States was a major factor behind his move.

Read more: Leeds United door left open as Jesse Marsch faced with tough Pascal Stuijk call

"I was in Leeds for almost six years. I had a really good life there, I had a successful time. It was difficult for me to move but at the same time I wanted to go to America at some point," Klich revealed in an interview for DC United's official website.

"When I was a young kid in Poland, I always wanted to try America and the 'American Dream'. When I was younger, I followed NBA a lot and the MLS has got the stage that it's a good league."

Jesse Marsch revealed that he told his players to find their inner Klich in a recent press conference, and the midfielder was delighted to be praised by his former boss.

"What he [Marsch] was saying, he meant be brave. We were at a point in Leeds where we were afraid to play football a little bit," Klich said.

"And he was saying be brave and play football. That's why he was talking about me, but I think he did want me to leave a little bit, so that's why he said it."

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