Leeds United sealed their first signing of the January transfer window last week as experienced goalkeeper Kiko Casilla signed from Real Madrid.

The stopper had become third choice at the Spanish side with the arrival of Thibaut Courtois in the summer and it seems as though he was more than ready to make the move.

That he has, then, as he links up with the Championship leaders and, interestingly, he has praised Victor Orta for his role in getting him signed up.

In an interview with Marca, he was asked what impact the idea of working with Marcelo Bielsa had on him moving to Yorkshire, and he mentioned that Orta influenced him too.

"Partly yes, I think working with a coach like him is appealing to a lot of players, from his style to his mentality.

"Victor Orta, too, who is the sporting director; he came to see me in Madrid to say that Bielsa wanted me, what Leeds United were about and the decision was made then. I wanted to leave my comfort zone and feel the pressure of playing again. I saw this as a great opportunity."

Orta has obviously done a good job in selling the Leeds project to the stopper, then, and fans will be pleased to see that as, after all, that's why he is at the club.

If he can continue to get high-calibre players in, then, he's bound to be getting more praise in the future.

The Verdict

Orta hasn't always got things right at Leeds but it seems as though he has improved on last year with his recruitment.

The players that have come in have done a fine job of getting Leeds to where they are, and fans will hope Casilla can help get them over the line.