Weston McKennie has revealed that Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson and Jesse Marsch all played a crucial role in convincing him to join Leeds United late in the January transfer window.
Leeds announced the signing of McKennie on Monday evening, securing the service of the USMNT midfielder on an initial loan from Juventus, with the view of making that agreement permanent in the summer.
The move will see McKennie link up with international teammates, Adams and Aaronson, who both joined head coach Marsch at Elland Road in the summer.
McKennie revealed that discussions he had with Adams (interviewing his teammate) and Aaronson, as well as Marsch, made it an easy decision to head to Leeds and the Premier League this month.
“It feels good to be a Leeds player, I’ve heard a lot of great things from you (Adams), Brenden Aaronson and Jesse Marsch, everyone tells me about the atmosphere here.
“Obviously I did my own research on the club and the support is wild, I’m really excited to be here and playing in the Premier League is a dream.
“Knowing I’m going to be playing with some of my teammates from the national team, I’m sure it will be easy to fit in and it was an easy decision for me.”
McKennie, via Leeds’ official website
McKennie’s debut could come this weekend as Leeds head to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest. Beyond that, they travel to Manchester United, before swiftly welcoming their bitter rivals to Elland Road on February 12th.
That latter date at Elland Road will be McKennie’s first taste of a home atmosphere at Leeds.
“I’m excited to play at Elland Road, unfortunately the first two games are away, but when we play at home I’m sure I’ll have such a big adrenaline rush.“
McKennie, via Leeds’ official website
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There’s a growing USMNT influence at Leeds, which isn’t really a surprise following Marsch’s arrival at Elland Road a year ago.
Leeds already had two USMNT players on their books in Adams and Aaronson, with McKennie a third. It would have been foolish to think the former two wouldn’t have played a part in getting McKennie to Elland Road.
Fingers crossed the 24-year-old can thrive in the Elland Road atmosphere and continue to help the club build back in the Premier League.