Feyenoord welcome Luis Sinisterra start at Leeds as fast-track route to future transfer dealings

Feyenoord’s general manager believes the transfer of Luis Sinisterra to Leeds United this summer can help the Eredivisie club attract more South American players in future years.

The Whites moved to sign the Colombian winger over the summer, paying the Dutch club a fee of around £22m for his services. Sinisterra is seen as their replacement for Raphinha – albeit a player who prefers to operate on the other wing. Brazilian star Raphinha – a favourite at Elland Road – was sold to Barcelona for a fee that will reportedly reach £52m.

The pressure in that regard will certainly be on Sinisterra to deliver the goods for Leeds. However, the winger has shown no signs of the task phasing him after scoring three times from just 242 minutes played for Leeds so far.

In his first interview for the club, he explained how he plans to make their fans happy. So far, so good in that regard.

Those performances too have certainly pleased Feyenoord, despite his exit leaving a big hole in their side. Sinisterra established himself as a key player for the Dutch club in his four years in Rotterdam.

In his time with Feyenoord, he scored 35 goals, weighing in with 29 assists across 113 appearances in all competitions. His sale though earned the club a club-record fee, however.

Feyenoord also allowed Tyrell Malacia to depart for Manchester United in a £12.9m deal. And those two exits have granted Feyenoord the financial stability to plan ahead in what is otherwise tough ecomonic times.

Feyenoord hope for more of the same after Luis Sinisterra success

And now their general manager Dennis te Kloese hopes Sinisterra’s move will pave the way for other South American stars to consider joining them.

“If you reach the final of the Conference League, it’s a calling card,” he told Algemeen Dagblad.

“Players want to go to Feyenoord now. For boys from South America or Mexico the premier league is a nice intermediate step in their career.

“They feel they can become better at Feyenoord. And the fact that we have sold players to clubs like Manchester United, Leeds United and Benfica also helps.

“If they perform well straight away, like Sinisterra, that again increases Feyenoord’s appeal.”

Leeds will hope for more from winger in games ahead

Leeds United have endured a mix bag so far this season. From the highs of their 3-0 win over Chelsea, to the lows of their 5-2 defeat at Brentford, supporters have felt all emotions so far.

In fact, two wins, two draws, and two defeats from six games is very much mid-table fodder from Leeds thus far.

Boss Jesse Marsch has given several of his new signings plenty of minutes with Marc Roca, Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen all getting plenty of minutes.

Luis Sinisterra, however, has had to be a little more patient for game time. Indeed, his situation was not helped by a niggling injury sustained early in the season.

That said, he’s started the last two matches, scoring from outside the area on both occasions.

Indeed, Leeds fans will be hoping for even more from the player in the months and weeks ahead. And once he gets more adjusted to life in the Premier League, he can get even better for the Whites.

Furthermore, his situation has been helped by the departure of Dan James to Fulham. His loan exit means the Leeds shirt is now Sinisterra’s to lose, with the 23-year-old looking an obvious pick for Marsch.

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