LEEDS UNITED have signed Kiko Casilla from Real Madrid – but not before the goalkeeper did his research on Marcelo Bielsa.
Leeds sit top of the Championship and are desperate to return to the Premier League after 15 years outside the top flight.
Bielsa has steered the West Yorkshire club into pole position for promotion but has been dogged by a spying scandal in recent days.
Bielsa on Wednesday went into the sheer scale of preparatory work he does on opposition clubs, with 300 hours spent on research before each game.
A Leeds staff member was caught spying on Derby training last Thursday ahead of their Champions clash, which the Whites won 2-0.
And Casilla said he studied Bielsa himself before making the decision to leave Real Madrid for the Championship.
“I am really pleased to work with him. I have a lot of information from when he worked in Spain,” he said.
“I watched the teams when he worked there and I talked with former players who worked with him.
“And they all told me amazing things about him.
“I am really happy to work with him.”
Leeds United are waiting on an EFL investigation into the ‘Spygate’.
The club play Stoke at the weekend and Bielsa revealed he has a research folder specifically for the Potters.
As for Leeds goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, the club appeared to confirm he will not be shifted out of Elland Road now Casilla has arrived.
“The addition will add competition amongst the goalkeeping ranks and he will now fight with Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Will Huffer for a starting berth at Elland Road,” Leeds said.
Source:www.express.co.uk