Promising Leeds United midfielder Ronaldo Vieira has spoken of the surprise that came when he was offered a new contract to tie him down to the club.
The 18-year-old central midfielder was rewarded with a new deal back in May after impressing during what proved to be a breakthrough season for the youngster.
His performances in the first team convinced those at Elland Road to tie him down with a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2021.
However, the new contract, and the amount of first team action he was awarded, all came as a surprise to the young midfielder, who made his debut for the club as a 17-year-old at the end of the 2015/16 season against Preston North End.
Expecting to be part of the club’s Under-23 side, and with another couple of years on his existing deal, he did not see any of it coming as the season kicked off, but says he is happy to have committed his future to the Whites.
“I got involved way more than I thought I would,” Vieira told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I thought I was maybe going to train (with the first team) a few times and then play 23s football.
“It’s something that every player wants – a long-term contract with a club.
“I still had another two years left so I didn’t really expect it – I was excited for it and I didn’t have to think twice. I just took it.”
Vieira ended up making 38 appearances for the club last season, 34 of those coming in the Championship, and his consistent performances helped him earn a spot in the England Under-20 squad for the Toulon Tournament.
His impact was as significant for his country as it was for his club, as he scored the decisive penalty in the final of the friendly international competition against the Ivory Coast, securing the title for the second successive year.