Leeds United Harry Wilson 'leadership' verdict as key dressing room figure addresses transfer
The Welshman joined up with his Leeds United teammates for pre-season this week.
Joe Rodon believes his new Leeds United teammate Harry Wilson has the potential to take on a leadership role at Elland Road.
Wilson officially joined Leeds on a free transfer last week, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract. The 29-year-old left Fulham off the back of a best-ever individual campaign in the Premier League in which he registered 10 goals and seven assists in 36 matches.
While Karl Darlow has since left to join Manchester United, Wilson joins a number of Wales teammates in West Yorkshire. The winger reported for pre-season testing this week alongside Daniel James, Ethan Ampadu and Rodon.
The latter has since spoken to LUTV about his new Whites teammate, who became a real match-winner at Craven Cottage last season. But it’s not just the on-pitch development fans should be excited about.
"Knowing H for a number of years, I think he's kind of grown into that leadership role as well, especially with the national team,” Rodon told LUTV. “Just kind of his maturity as well with the game.
"Everyone's seen him, he's grown massively as a player on the pitch. But off it, I think he has stepped into more of a leadership role.”
Wilson will have around one week to bed in at his new home before joining the squad on a pre-season tour of the USA. Leeds kick-off their summer fixture schedule against Wrexham in Tampa next Saturday before meetings with Sunderland and Liverpool in New Jersey and Chicago, respectively.
"It's important to share that with everyone, the Leeds fans are everywhere,” Rodon added of the upcoming trip. "It's always good to travel around the world and of course share the brand. Leeds is massive and we're looking forward to it."
After those games, the latter taking place on August 2, Leeds return home for an Elland Road meeting with RB Leipzig on August 8 before a potential reunion with Darlow the following week. The Whites face Manchester United in Dublin on August 12 and then host FC Augsburg three days later.