Andrea Radrizzani explains why he opted to invest in Leeds United three years ago

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has explained why he opted to invest in the club over three years ago.

The 45-year-old initially purchased a 50 per cent stake from fellow Italian Massimo Cellino in January 2017, before completing a full takeover the following summer.

Radizzani has now lifted the lid on what led him to West Yorkshire, and why he was drawn to the Whites after searching across Europe for an investment opportunity.

"Rather than England, I originally looked at Italy, France and Spain with the idea of taking over a mid-table club with players to develop and a chance to grow," Radrizzani told the Professional Football Journal.

"But in a chance encounter with Kenny Dalglish, he told me about Leeds United and how the club was ready for a return to glory.

"Speaking to people around the club and visiting Thorp Arch, I came to fully appreciate the heritage of a club with great potential to move forward, so I decided to become involved.

"I love challenges and I love to help turn organisations around. The more I learned, the more I was interested."

Asked what makes Leeds a unique football club, he said: "We recently celebrated our centenary, which gave us a chance to reflect on what the club means to our fans.

"When you look in particular at the club’s glory days in the 1970s and 2000s, the iconic players who have worn the shirt, the passion of our supporters and Elland Road, there’s so much that makes Leeds United a special football club.

Radrizzani added: "I want to help Leeds United return to the level our history and fans deserve.

"When I came to the club, I gave myself three years to deliver that and my vision remains the same: return the club to its rightful place in the Premier League and make our fans, players and staff proud of their football team.

"We have everything to do it – a world-class coach, great players and unbelievable fans – so I feel very positive."