Neil Redfearn has encouraged Ronaldo Vieira to remain at Leeds United, despite interest from other clubs, reports TV Yorkshire.

The 18-year old Leeds academy product has impressed in his first full season as a professional, making 22 appearances across all competitions.

His robust performances have come regularly this campaign, and Friday’s 1-0 win over Derby County was no different.

Rams’ boss Steve McClaren, who predicted the midfielder had a big future in the game, praised Vieira’s performance.

Speaking to TV Yorkshire, ex-Leeds United boss Redfearn was also full of praise for Vieira, who made his first-team debut at Preston on the last day of the 2015/16 season.

Newcastle United and German outfit RB Leipzig have shown interest in the Portuguese teenager, but Redfearn believes the best place for his development is at Leeds.

Redfearn, who spent time coaching the Leeds academy before his spell in-charge of the first-team, has seen past academy products Sam Byram and Lewis Cook leave the club and struggle for game time.

Speaking about Vieira, he said: “I think what he's doing at this moment in time is he's learning his trade in a good place, the side's playing well, he's playing with good players, and he's playing at a really good level of football and he's only going to get better."

Vieira has one goal this season, a spectacular long-range effort against Norwich City, in a 3-2 victory back in November, this result sent Leeds into the play-off places, and since then the cub have not looked back.

Garry Monk’s side are currently third in the Sky Bet Championship, and they will be looking to close the gap to the automatic promotion places this weekend, when they face Barnsley.

Leeds fans… Are you surprised at the impact Vieira has had for your team this season? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!