Details have emerged of how Leeds United beat FC Twente to secure the signing of 20-year-old defender Bryce Hosannah, who was a target of Chelsea early on in his career. 

The Whites right-back arrived at the club in August 2017, joining from Premier League side Crystal Palace after a successful trial at the Yorkshire club.

Hosannah has never featured for the Leeds first team but was included by Marcelo Bielsa in the pre-season tour to Australia and was named in the matchday squad for the 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town in December.

The London-born player was reportedly chased by Chelsea early in his career but opted to join the Crystal Palace youth set up instead.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, he was made aware that the Eagles were not going to offer him a professional deal in 2017 and began to look for another club.

After interest from QPR and Freiburg came to nothing, the defender was going to join Dutch side FC Twente before a call from Victor Orta, who had recently moved to Leeds from Middlesbrough.

Roger Hosannah, Bryce's father, explained: "When Victor moved to Leeds, Rob (Moore – Hosannah's agent) got a call asking if Bryce was still available. Rob said he’s in Holland, but he would prefer to stay in England, we’ll need a quick decision.

“He went up to Leeds for a week’s trial, played in two friendlies and never returned.”

According to Transfermarkt, Hosannah's current deal at Elland Road is set to expire this summer.

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The Verdict

It's interesting to get an insight into how Hosannah arrived at the Yorkshire club and at how close he was to going elsewhere.

Injuries have hampered the 20-year-old's time at Leeds but he has shown some signs of promise, though you feel he may be running out of chances to impress.

Given the fact Leeds are understood to have rejected multiple offers for him in January, you feel he has a good chance of staying on at Elland Road a little while longer.