21-year-old international with bags of promise heading to Leeds in summer after big Orta mistake
COMMENT
Victor Orta has got a long way to go to convince Leeds fans that he's the man that can transform the squad this summer and put all the mistakes of last season behind him.
One of the biggest of those was the deal done for Japanese striker Yosuke Ideguchi, who signed last summer for £500k only to be loaned to sister club Cultural Leonesa in Spain.
That turned out to be a disaster with the 21-year-old making just five appearances without scoring.
A move that was supposed to prime the young international for the World Cup finals and for Leeds next season, backfired spectacularly and must have dented his confidence.
He's hardly mentioned by Leeds fans now, a forgotten man who no one sees as the solution to Leeds' problems.
But that's doing the youngster a disservice.
We don't know what's happened over in Spain but we do know there should have been a provision to make sure that it didn't - it's helped none of the three parties involved.
But Ideguchi is a full international for a decent Japan side and could easily step up to the Championship if he's given the chance.
The Yorkshire Evening Post claim that Leeds are not holding this season against him and that his position in the side is "safe".
That means he'll be heading to Elland Road once his World Cup commitments are over – if he actually makes the squad – and his loan expires on June 30.
It's very likely he won't make the Japan squad now, which will be a huge shame for the youngster, but it will keep him fresh for Leeds and whoever is in charge of the first-team squad next season.
Ideguchi is worth keeping an eye on – he can still fulfil his promise and star for Leeds next season.