Leeds United sign £17m Brazilian winger Raphinha from Ligue 1 club Rennes
The 23-year-old flew into England last night after scoring in his former club's 2-2 draw with Reims earlier in the day. The deal was completed today after he passed a medical and he signed a four-year deal.
Raphinha is a left-footed winger who operates predominantly on the right hand side. He helped Rennes to a third-place finish in the league last season and Champions League qualifcation.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe moved to Europe to join Portuguese side Vitória Guimarães in a deal brokered by former Portugal and Barcelona man Deco and spent two and a half years at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques before signing for Sporting. A debut season that ended in a cup double helped raise his profile in European football and Sporting decided to cash in, selling him for around €21 million to Rennes.
Leeds, who liked his pace, movement and creativity, see him as competition for Helder Costa on the right of Marcelo Bielsa's attack.
The Whites did make enquiries for Manchester United's Dan James, whose January 2019 deadline day move from Swansea to Elland Road fell through at the last minute, but the Red Devils were not interested in either a loan or permanent deal. Although the transfer window shuts tonight at 11pm, domestic deals between Premier League clubs and their EFL counterparts can still take place until 16 October.
Raphinha in 2019/20 via @LUFCDATA
0.42 big chances created per 90
2.3 shots per 90
34% shot accuracy
5.9 take-ons per 90
2.6 successful take-ons per 90
4.8 crosses per 90
21.5 successful passes per 90
13.3 final third passes per 90
57.2 touches per 90
1.2 tackles won per 90
5.4 ground duels won per 90
6.2 total duels won per 90
0.9 interceptions per 90
5.3 recoveries per 90
16.62 successful opp half passes per 90
8.76 successful final third passes per 90
1.49 successful crosses per 90
2.3 chances created per 90
0.8 aerial duels won per 90
1.7 fouls won per 90
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.