Assistance with Victor Orta’s Leeds United overtures to Marc Roca came from within the dressing room at Elland Road. The director of football tracked his compatriot for months and eventually got the deal with Bayern Munich over the line last week.
Orta has liked Roca since his days with Espanyol in La Liga, where his midfield performances had him on course for the national team before turning heads at a European superpower. While their Barcelona summit won Roca’s heart, there was plenty of help backing Orta up.
Junior Firpo made a similar move 12 months ago. The left-back was also wooed by Orta in a Barcelona meeting which would set the wheels in motion on his own transfer from a continental heavyweight.
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Firpo and Roca played together with Spain’s under-21s. It was an inevitable phone call to make once Leeds came onto the radar.
“I have spoken with Junior,” Roca said after completing his move last week. “I played with him in Spanish under-21 national team and yes, now it’s time to talk with Rodrigo, with Diego Llorente and meet with my new team-mates. I can’t wait to start playing.”
Firpo’s season has been up and down in his first year within the English game. Despite some struggles, he waxed lyrical about United.
“He told me it’s an incredible club,” said Roca. “He said it’s an amazing atmosphere you can feel in this stadium.
“The team-mates are incredible. The atmosphere you can breathe in the locker room is incredible and I am very happy.”
