Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear has said the signing of "special player" Helder Costa sends a message that the club are serious about getting promoted this season. 

The winger joined the Whites from Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month on an initial one year loan, which will become a permanent deal next summer for a reported fee of £15 million.

Costa has signed a four-year contract at Elland Road, which will begin after the deal is made permanent in 2020 and run until 2024.

The 25-year-old struggled to make an impact in the Premier League last season, scoring just one goal and providing two assists, but excelled in his two previous seasons in the Championship, grabbing 15 goals and 14 assists across two campaigns.

Speaking to Leeds Live, Kinnear talked up the arrival of the Portuguese international.

He said: "I think we’ve signed a really special player.

"I think he’s going to be one of the best players in the Championship next season, and I’d be very surprised if it’s not one of the biggest Championship signings.

"When people are asking whether Leeds are committed to going up and whether we’re investing, they just need to look at the signing of Costa and realise that’s the case."

Kinnear also predicted that a number of Whites players would kick on in their second season under Marcelo Bielsa.

He said: "I think [Costa's] also joined a very strong squad.

"One of the things that Marcelo was enthused about was he felt that every single player from last season would be better this year. I think we’re expecting some breakthrough seasons from some emerging talents."

The Verdict

After narrowly missing out on promotion last season, Bielsa needed to add some quality this summer and with the arrival of Costa, he has done exactly that.

The 25-year-old proved during his time in the Championship with Wolves that he had the quality to thrive in the second tier of English football.

Kinnear's comments ring true, the reported fee that Leeds have set themselves up to pay next summer gives the impression that they believe they will be a Premier League team come the end of the season.

The Leeds CEO believes that Costa could be one of the biggest signings of the season and if the winger can help the Yorkshire club finally return to the top flight then Kinnear might be right.