New Leeds United man Connor Roberts open to longer Elland Road commitment but made to wait for debut

Roberts has signed on loan until the end of the 2023/24 season and will supplement Daniel Farke's defensive ranks as the team seek promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The Wales international arrives with promotion pedigree, having gone up with reigning champions Burnley last term, whilst also being named in the Championship's Team of the Season.

"Football's a funny game, so I'll be doing my very best to make a good impression on and off the pitch and maybe in the future it can change from the straight loan but yeah, at the moment it's just come here try and help on and off the pitch," the 28-year-old said.

Speaking after signing on the dotted line at Elland Road, Roberts says he hopes to have an impact on and off the pitch, sharing his experience with the likes of positional rival Archie Gray, as well as international teammates Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu.

"I think I've got plenty of experience to bring to Archie [Gray], if he's playing there or Joe [Rodon] alongside me, Ethan [Ampadu], I know them well, but I can still give them some pointers and hopefully as a collective, as a group.

"The aim is to get promoted and whether that means me playing half the games, all the games, only a few games, it doesn't really bother me. I just want to want to be smiling with the rest of the lads come the end of the season," he added.

"I'm just really excited to get going and like you say it's just a loan for now, but I think it would have been unbelievable to come here for the long term kind of thing, but I'm going to be incredibly privileged to play for Leeds United, whether that's a handful of times or every single game between now and the end of the season. So I'm just looking forward to it.

"I'm always ready and when the chance comes I'll give absolutely everything when I put on that shirt."

Roberts is not eligible to feature for Leeds until the Whites' game against Rotherham United on February 10. The Welsh international was not registered in time to be named in Farke's matchday squad against Bristol City this weekend and having not been a Leeds player last weekend when the Whites drew 1-1 against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup Fourth Round, cannot play in the replay this coming Tuesday.