RB Leipzig loanee Jean-Kevin Augustin explains why he wanted to play for Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United

Leeds United have Marcelo Bielsa to thank for a lot of things and can now add new striker Jean-Kevin Augustin to the list.
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The Frenchman arrived in Leeds on Sunday night, had a medical first thing in the morning and was confirmed as a loan signing before lunch. He had been teasing Whites fans with his social media activity over the weekend, liking numerous hopeful tweets that came his way from West Yorkshire, as speculation in France grew that he was Leeds-bound.

The decision to end his loan spell at Monaco and make the move to the Championship wasn’t one the RB Leipzig forward agonised over.

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He wanted to work for and learn from Bielsa. He said: “First of all for the coach. Everyone knows him in the football world, he’s a real big tactician.

“I didn’t have to think long when Leeds wanted me and that he wanted me to come.

“I’m going to bring my football while I’m learning with him and helping the team while doing that.”

Augustin, who isn’t likely to be involved against Millwall tomorrow night according to United head coach Bielsa, is excited by the prospect of being involved in a promotion bid with his new team-mates.

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“It’s a historical club in England. It has a big objective this season to go back to the Premier League,” said the 2015/16 Ligue 1 title winner.

Jean-Kevin Augustin at Elland Road earlier todayJean-Kevin Augustin at Elland Road earlier today
Jean-Kevin Augustin at Elland Road earlier today

“I know it has been 16 years since they were in the Premier League, so of course the project already excited me.

“It’s an exciting project for the players, for the city and for the fans.

“I know it’s a big club in England, there are a lot of fans at every game and they want to go back to the Premier League.

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“I’ve played in different leagues and I’ve never been in England. I know, whether it be in the Championship or the Premier League, I wanted to come here and play here.”

Leeds will have an option to sign the 22-year-old permanently at the end of the season by which time he hopes to have shown his ability and helped them to achieve their goal.

“I hope to bring my quality to the team,” he said.

“I’m going to do everything I can to help the team get back to the Premier League.

“[The fans] are going to see a player who is always going to leave everything on the pitch, try to score goals and help the team.

“I want to transmit my passion for football, I really love football.”