What Dan James first said when he left Man Utd for Leeds United - He won't be missing Old Trafford | OneFootball

Football League World looks at Dan James' first words after signing for Leeds United from Manchester United in the summer of 2021

Dan James' career at Leeds United has been far from plain-sailing, but the Whites are now reaping all the rewards four years after breaking the bank to lure the Welsh winger from fierce rivals Manchester United.

James traded Old Trafford for Elland Road in the summer of 2021 when a reported £25 million deal was agreed, which saw the speedy attacker pen a five-year contract to sign for Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Leeds had been tracking James for some time, and he came infamously close to joining the Whites back in January 2019, only for an all-but-sealed deadline-day agreement with Swansea City collapsed at the final hurdle.

His time at Leeds has been turbulent in a sense. It's been a tenure of two-halves, one could say, but there's no denying the move is now playing out as a monumental success.

However, looking back in time, what did James say when he first signed for Leeds? Football League World takes a closer look...

Dan James' first words after signing for Leeds United from Man Utd

James felt it was the right time to move on from Old Trafford following two mixed seasons after making the switch from Swansea.

The winger labelled his decision as the right one and it's hard to disagree with that in hindsight, with James also stating his belief that his top-flight experience could help him to "add something" at Leeds.

"For me and my football career this is completely the right decision," James told Sky Sports, via BBC Sport, after signing for Leeds.

"I had an unbelievable time. I made great friends, the staff and fans were amazing to me. It is my time to move on career wise. I am just looking forward to it.

"I am a different player. I had maybe only played half a season the last time I nearly signed here. I have games under my belt at the top level and feel I can add something here."

Dan James' Leeds United career

James' first season at Leeds saw him flatter to deceive, and he spent the club's 2022/23 relegation campaign from the Premier League on loan at Fulham after registering just four goals and four assists apiece from 35 appearances.

His time at Craven Cottage was largely forgettable too, but he has redeemed his Leeds career with two hugely impressive campaigns in the Championship.

In contrast to many members of Leeds' Premier League side, James decided to stick around following relegation from the top-flight and has shone ever since. His impact last season was perhaps underrated owing to stellar displays from the likes of Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, but he still registered 13 goals and eight assists in the Championship.

With the aforementioned pair having departed last summer, James has grown in importance under Daniel Farke and has been one of the most productive players in the Championship this season, hitting double digits for league goals for the second campaign running.

Importantly, the 57-cap Welsh international has married his electrifying speed and acceleration with a more-refined end product, which has helped him to play a vital role in Leed's promotion charge and keep high-quality wingers such as Largie Ramazani and Willy Gnonto out of the side.

James finally appears to have hit a breakthrough in his career, which did just stagnate for a few years, and Leeds' decision to bring him across the Pennines will look like a masterstroke if he can help them to promotion and continue these performances in the Premier League next term.