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Leeds United: Robbie Rogers targets Whites fast track INTERVIEW
Robbie Rogers has vowed to “make a mark” on Leeds United and English football as the Home Office prepares to rule on his work permit application.
The USA international should learn the fate of his proposed move to Elland Road in the next 48 hours, with his application expected to be heard tomorrow, and he is crossing his fingers for a fresh start in his career.
Rogers left America’s Major League Soccer scene to take up a contract in England knowing that his involvement with the USA’s national team fell short of the criteria specified by the government for work permit applications involving non-EU players.
The 24-year-old has not appeared in the required 75 per cent of competitive USA games in the past two years, but United are ready to plead his case after finalising terms with Rogers last week.
The transfer from MLS side Columbus Crew is subject to Rogers receiving a permit, but the winger’s application will be supported by what Leeds manager Simon Grayson called “a lot of glowing endorsements of Robbie”.
Prime among those is confirmation from USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann that Rogers is likely to be a fixture in America’s squad for the foreseeable future, and Leeds were given encouragement last Wednesday when Southampton secured a permit for Japanese striker Tadanari Lee.
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Lee had similarly failed to play in 75 per cent of Japan’s recent competitive matches but the Home Office accepted his claim on appeal. In a statement, Southampton said: “The authorities agreed that the international star is an exceptional talent that will enhance the game in this country, and at the age of 26 has plenty to offer over many years.”
Rogers was unavailable for Leeds’ 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday but Grayson is planning to integrate him into his first-team squad as soon as his transfer is complete, and the player said: “I hope it works out. It’s been an awesome experience so far and I’ll be excited to get going.
“I’m here because I want to make a mark in English football and continue to play for the national team. I’m definitely not here to enjoy the weather in Leeds. I want to test myself, prove myself and show that I can help the club out.
“It’s all about the work permit now and I think I’ve got a good chance, but it’s hard to know how these things work. I’ve talked to guys who got work permits with fewer international caps than I’ve got but we’ll see what happens.”
Rogers trained with Leeds before Christmas – a successful trial which convinced Grayson to pursue the signing – and a two-and-a-half year deal was struck with him shortly after he attended the Emirates Stadium for United’s FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
The former Heerenveen wide man had a guaranteed contract available at Columbus Crew but he rejected the offer in order to complete a move to England which numerous other American footballers have made before him.
Rogers revealed that he discussed the challenges of the English game with Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and Fulham striker Clint Dempsey, both of whom are USA internationals, and Grayson said that former Tottenham striker Klinsmann had also been a key influence in Rogers’ decision to sign for Leeds.
Rogers said: “Jurgen’s a great guy and a great coach. He’s got so much knowledge of the game and to be involved with his team over the past six months has been quite an experience.
“I’ll have to work very hard to stay in the national team and prove myself in every game I get called up for, but being at Leeds will push me forward.
“I had the opportunity to stay in MLS and it would have been very comfortable for me. I’d have been able to stay close to my family, but I’ve grown up watching English and European soccer. I felt that this was the right time to take a chance and challenge myself as a player and a person.
“Moving to another country isn’t always easy but I think I’m ready for it.
“I’m friends with guys like Clint and Tim and I’ve talked to them about the fitness you need to have, and the speed of the game – the difference between here and the MLS.
“It’s quite different here and it’ll take time to adjust but I think that if you can prove yourself here and be successful then you can say you’ve tested yourself at the highest level.”
Rogers’ position is one of the few at Leeds which is adequately filled if not oversubscribed.
United signed Andros Townsend on loan from Tottenham at the start of the month and Robert Snodgrass returned from an appendix operation at Palace on Saturday, little more than two weeks after having emergency surgery.
The MLS season finished in November and Rogers is in the process of building up his match fitness but a successful application for a work permit would allow him to begin the battle for selection in earnest ahead of Saturday’s clash with Ipswich.
“There are great players in my position but I’m here to push them,” he said. “I’m an outside midfielder and pretty much two-footed.
“I think my best quality is my pace – going at players one-on-one. I hope I can show that at Elland Road and I try to work hard. I just need a bit of time to get fit.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work with the physios and I’ve been doing extra after training and more in the gym. But I like that and it means I’ll be ready soon.
“There’s a great bunch of guys here and they’ve been very welcoming.
“I’ve really enjoyed it and I like it in England – the players now how to have a laugh but once you get out on the training field, the whole thing is so competitive and serious.
“That’s the best way to be and the best way to work. It’s been a pleasure.”
Grayson sang Rogers’ praises last week and voiced optimism about his work permit application, saying: “We fought off a lot of competition to get him. We’ve got a lot of glowing endorsements and that will help.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 19 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
Frank Granelli
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 01:57 PMIts great news that he chose Leeds United !! even better now that he should be playing this saturday now he has recieved his work permit !! Looking forward to saturdays game !!!!MOT
konkrete
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 10:05 AMOriginal koppite, does your name mean you were a foot soldier at the battle of spion kop or a member of the 60s Anfield kop? Either way, keep posting, as your winding up of other contributers to these pages is a source of amusement for all to enjoy......
original koppite
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 02:08 AMWho needs WUMs with R soles like you lot....MOT with proper fans who support.
thom286
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 08:22 PMPoor guy, looks like Jurgen has pulled one over on him. Hope it works out for him.
OzTyke
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 08:06 PMFirst off, welcome to Robbie and glad the permit is sorted. I hope the fans give him a good welcome and a fair chance to settle in. Who knows, he and Matty P might just kickstart our season again. Not sure about Banana Yaya, he was the pick of the bunch for Cameroon, played out of his skin apparently. MOT
whitevanman1
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 05:00 PMPoor lad, coming from the states to the backwater of football.
Borderreiver
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 04:34 PMPoor lad! Robbie, your career has just taken a backward step. Who dislikes you enough to advise you to come here? Show any potential however and you'll soon be sold on to a club with some ambition.
Uniteds21
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 03:58 PMIf we get the work permit will we be able to sell him in this transfer window?
old_peacock
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 03:46 PMGood luck to the lad, just need Sporticus to join us and then we'll have a team!!!
The_Monk85
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 03:22 PMAgree with the comments on here. The event's of Howson imminent departure have overshadowed RR's arrival. Good luck to you though Robbie. Hope you hit the ground running and do the business for us.
Headingleywhites
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 03:11 PMPoor lad - wonder how Mr Harvey sold the club to him during contract negotiations ? Did he say you will to fight for your place or no worries son the competition is about to be moved on so in you go. Either way not his fault so sure everyone will back him.
we8csum
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 03:10 PMNot sure anyone actually cares.
Travolta
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 03:07 PMI think Ipswich used Bruce as a make shift striker. The way things are going Robbie will be banging in the crosses for Bruce and Paynter. If all else fails, we will have a semi pro from Wales on the bench!
StigM
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 03:07 PMThe first thing they should learn him is to never say I love this club and this is where I want to be. He might do very well so KB and SG can sell him easy. Than better to not say at all that I want to be at ER!
StigM
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 03:05 PMWell he will get games at least, we soon sell snoddy and white so well doen Grayson, very well done !!!
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