Diego Llorente has outlined the crucial role Victor Orta played in bringing him to Leeds United last summer.
Injuries have limited the 27-year-old to just six appearances in the Premier League so far this season, having arrived at Elland Road for an undisclosed fee from Real Sociedad.
However, on the back of his latest call-up to the Spain squad - and playing four straight games for the first time in a Leeds shirt - the centre-back is hoping to finally make his mark with the Whites.
Llorente is, once again, expected to start against Fulham tonight (8pm) as Marcelo Bielsa's side continue their first campaign back in the big time.
But, amid other interest from across Europe, what exactly was it that enticed the Spanish defender - who has been capped six times at international level - to West Yorkshire in the first place?
During an interview with Sky Sports, Llorente said: "I started the season with Sociedad and I was focused on them, but I was also hearing about possible offers that could arrive and could help me improve as a player.
"There were other offers before Leeds, last year too, which were also interesting - but they didn't totally appeal to me. The moment I met with Victor and he told me about the interest Leeds had in me, I didn't have to think about it.
"He told me about the project, that it was secure and strong, and about the way the team played and how my characteristics as a player could help, what I could bring to Leeds, and also what Leeds could give me to help me grow as a player.
"When a player sees that, he doesn't have to think twice. And the playing style is more or less similar to what I was used to in Spain, so that was another motive to come here."
Having played on the opening day of the La Liga season with Sociedad, the former Real Madrid man was picked-up by Bielsa - and sporting director Orta - towards the end of the summer transfer window.
He had to wait a while to make his Leeds debut, though, after sustaining an injury on international duty.
Indeed, his first outing came against Chelsea on December 5, but Llorente played only one further game in January before recovering from further set-backs to force his way into the line-up.
Reports that he was becoming frustrated at Elland Road have since been rebuffed, too, as he sheds light on how a spell on the sidelines allowed him to fully get to grips with Bielsa's expectations.
Llorente added: "My time here at Leeds didn't start very well, but despite the injuries and the many days I felt sad about the situation, the excitement I had when I accepted this challenge was always there. I always had the energy to keep going and recover as quickly as possible.
"One of my main objectives in that period, apart from recovering, was to observe and learn as much as possible about the daily routine of the team, the things they work on and the things the manager wants.
"I looked in detail at how we play and analysed it well and that meant, when I did finally come into the team, that it wasn't too obvious that I was a new player."
