'I tell you a secret' - Leeds United's desperate double transfer attempt for honoured target

Daniel Farke tried to sign Ao Tanaka a year ago for Leeds United
-Credit: (Image: Anna Gowthorpe/REX/Shutterstock)


A secret was on Daniel Farke’s mind ahead of Leeds United’s clash with Burnley. It turns out Ao Tanaka arrived at Elland Road at the second time of asking from the German manager. One year on from trying to bring him in during his first summer window, Farke finally got his man last month.

The 26-year-old ticks a lot of boxes for Farke and while he is unlikely to make his full debut today, the Whites boss is excited about what is ahead of Tanaka. Just last season, for example, the Japanese scored seven goals and created another three in 30 league games for Fortuna Dusseldorf.

“Ao is a player I really admire,” said Farke. “If I tell you a secret, I tried, even 12 months ago, to sign him because I was so desperate. Even before the scouting [team] knew him, I recommended him because I've also followed him.

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“I was in charge in Germany, in the Bundesliga, and he caught my eye, although also in the second tier. I tried everything last season to bring him in because I'm fully convinced of his qualities.

“Again, good age, really good and tidy on the ball. Good passing skills. He can score a goal and find a pass. During his career for the Japanese national team, but also on the second tier in Germany, out of [the] number eight role, he has scored goals, he has assisted.

“He also plays a second-to-last pass. I really, really like him because we also like to dominate the game, we like to dominate possession and, quite naturally, I like also players who are tidy on the ball and are good with the ball and smart.”

Crucially, as with so many of the new signings United made this summer, Tanaka’s desire to play for Leeds impressed Farke. His new manager says the midfielder sees it as an honour to be in England and playing for the Whites.

“It's also a big challenge and a big honour to have this move to England for a big club like Leeds United. He's desperate to play for us, but [it’s] a bit the same with Isaac [Schmidt]. He hasn't played on the top level so far, at least not for his club.

“For his country, he is already experienced, but he comes from the second tier in Germany, so we will give him also a bit of time to adapt to this. The first glimpses are promising, I have to say.

“I liked his first cameo when he came in. I wouldn't over-interpret this because the game was also done. We were 2-0 in the lead and then everything is a bit easy, but he has shown there also he has good passing choices, good passing skills.

“He's a great character as well. A good sense of humour, I have to say. I really like him. A good guy to have around, but it's difficult to predict right now he will be the best midfielder in this league because he has not played one minute so far.”

Joe Rothwell, one of the earliest arrivals of the summer, way back on July 11, is yet really make his mark for Leeds. He will be a direct rival for Tanaka in the engine room and Farke took his chance to mention the Bournemouth loanee.

“Lots of competition in this position for us,” he said. “He was not that much in the spotlight so far, but I also want to mention, in a quite similar position, Joe Rothwell, because he has not played one bad pass since I worked with him.

“I like his passing skills. I like what he does, also in pre-season, just due to the competition we have in this position, with Ethan Ampadu, with Ilia Gruev, they are top and, together with Joe, together with Ao, we are really, really good right now.”