'Tanaka is one of the best bargains in Leeds history...

‘Tanaka is one of the best bargains in Leeds history.’

Few players in Leeds United’s history have been as well-received by the supporters and as successful right away as Ao Tanaka.

Daniel Farke had wanted Tanaka since he first saw him in Germany’s second tier, but he appeared to be third option

after offers for Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer and FC Koln’s Dejan Ljubicic were rejected. Tanaka was signed on

the day of the transfer deadline last summer.

He had only made three substitute appearances for Leeds before being introduced against Cardiff City at the end of

September, and he had never entered the game before the 86th minute.

Since then, no other footballer in the top four divisions of English football has completed over 1,000 passes and more than 50 tackles.

The love from Ao was just as instant.

Last Sunday, Tanaka discussed his initial thoughts at the Peacock’s training facility in an interview for Leeds United’s

schedule for the match against Sheffield Wednesday: “I remember thinking: ‘If I play with these team-mates I can

improve my quality and I will be able to enjoy playing football with these team-mates.'”

Against Sheffield Wednesday, it was another man-of-the-match performance. He may have earned man of the match

in most of his United games with the play he has been putting in since joining the starting lineup.

Tanaka is now contributing goals to his performances in addition to passes and tackles, which was lacking during the

Whites’ goalless centre midfield campaign the previous season.

One of the greatest deals in Leeds’ history, the £2.9 million for Tanaka indicates that there is value in the market

should they decide to bolster in January.