“I snubbed them to join Leeds United for……” Ramazani reveal how he turned down Manchester United multimillion offer just to be at Elland Road despite Leeds lower offer.
Largie Ramazani had no idea he was about to board one of the most closely watched flights in the world, as Leeds United fans eagerly tracked his journey from Almeria to Yorkshire last week. The Belgian winger already seems to be the breath of fresh air Leeds supporters needed after a difficult summer.
Those who know Ramazani well speak highly of him. Former Almeria teammate Cesar de la Hoz described him as an “electric player,” while Neil Wood, his former under-23 coach at Manchester United, believes Ramazani has the potential to “ignite Leeds again” following the departure of several key players in recent weeks.
“Largie is one of those footballers who gets fans off their seats,” Wood told Leeds Live. “He really energizes the crowd.”
Almeria fans can certainly attest to that. Leeds will be looking for more consistency from a player who has shown he can rise to the occasion, having performed well against the likes of Real Madrid. Last season, Ramazani contributed to nine goals across all competitions, more than doubling his tally from the previous year. The 23-year-old also created an average of 1.5 chances per game in La Liga, despite playing for a team that struggled to control possession. So, what can Leeds expect?
“He’s sharp,” Wood explained. “He has a low center of gravity and a determination that makes him hard to knock off the ball. He’s excellent in one-on-one situations, and his time in Spain has improved his game. He’s now creating more opportunities and can score with both feet. It wasn’t long ago that he was scoring at the Bernabéu, so he’s proven himself on the big stage.”
Off the pitch, Wood remembers Ramazani as a “really likeable” and “humble” character, always eager to improve. During his first pre-season with Manchester United’s under-23s, Ramazani stood out as the hardest worker in the group, lighting up every session.
Wood, who faced Leeds as Salford City’s manager last season, believes the environment at Elland Road will “only take him to the next level,” given Ramazani’s drive to improve and his ambition to help Leeds return to the Premier League.
“When he’s training at his best, he’s really effective,” Wood said. “He lifts those around him and improves the quality of training. That’s what I hope he’ll bring to Leeds. He’s an infectious character who will quickly settle in with his new teammates. They’ll enjoy being around him because of the positivity and energy he brings every day.”
Ramazani’s confidence is key to his success. “When he’s in a good space, training well and playing well, his confidence soars. It’s important to keep him confident by showing you care and want him to be his best. When you do that, you’ll see the best of Largie. He’s an exciting player.”
Ramazani will also bring toughness to Elland Road. While Leeds will want to curb his discipline issues—he received two red cards and 10 bookings last season—this is a player who won’t be intimidated by the physical nature of the Championship. The 23-year-old has experience in promotion battles from his time in Spain and should adapt quickly back in the UK, having previously played for Manchester United and Charlton Athletic.
Interestingly, Ramazani might never have moved to Almeria if Manchester United had their way. Wood recalls how Ramazani, who had just made his first-team debut, boldly turned down a new contract offer from Manchester United in 2020 to pursue his career in Spain.