Welsh winger Dan James has revealed how his failed deadline day move to Leeds United back in 2019 left him feeling so frustrated, he threw his phone across the Swansea City boardroom.
While James, who is currently on-loan at Fulham, eventually signed for Leeds in August 2021, he almost joined the Whites back in January 2019.
A move from Swansea looked all but certain to be completed, with James even pictured holding up a Leeds shirt for his signing announcement, only for the Swans chairman, Huw Jenkins, to pull the plug on the deal at the last minute.
READ MORE: Jesse Marsch faced with Leeds United training ground scrap for one-off opportunity
James eventually ended up signing for Manchester United in the summer, spending two seasons at Old Trafford before moving to Leeds in August 2021 on deadline day.
While he made 35 appearances last season, and five this term for Leeds, the Whites ended up shipping James out on loan last summer to Fulham on deadline day.
The move to Fulham was the third time in James' career that his future was thrown up in the air in the space of 24 hours, something which would cause anyone an incredible amount of stress.
And while he admits the initial failed January 2019 move left him frustrated, James believes he learnt a vital life lesson from it.
"At the time, it was January and I wasn’t really too keen about leaving Swansea," explained James.
"I was in a good place, it was my first season. I wasn’t offered a new contract there and I come in to Leeds and it was a massive opportunity. The things I got shown, the analysis they did into me, I was mesmerised by and I was really excited to join them. After that, it went to deadline day and I couldn’t quite believe it.
"I remember throwing my phone in the boardroom. It was really annoying and I always look back at that moment and think stuff like that, things always happen for a reason.
"It’s definitely difficult. We [James and his partner] create great friends in Leeds and then I’ve done two deadline days where the day before or both times I never thought that I would be at a different club and then the next day, within 24 hours, it just changes like that. That’s football for you."
READ NEXT:
Leeds United midfielder's made no secret of his future ambition in the USA
Leeds United's would-be January signing ignored transfer rivals after Victor Orta meeting
Leeds United's unprecedented £30,000 donation transforms Christmas Day for more than 1,000 children
Unseen Leeds United boon could have paved the way for the biggest plus of mid-season break
Rodrigo points fingers at Leeds United problems dressing room is cracking down on
