Spain, League One and League Two were options for Ryan Edmondson before he eventually signed up to a loan deal with Aberdeen.
The 19-year-old striker agreed to a temporary switch with the Scottish Premiership outfit last week before making his debut against Rangers.
However, in a sign of what may lie ahead for Leeds United’s other English under-23s, Edmondson admits he felt set for Spain at one stage.
“I had a few options to go out on loan, that I had been looking at with my agent, to clubs in League One and League Two,” he told Aberdeen’s website.
“At one point there was talk of the Leeds directors putting me out on loan to Spain as there were a few clubs there who were interested in me.”
Edmondson has a tall, strong, powerful profile as a striker and developed a reputation for aggressive, bullish play while leading the frontline in United’s under-23 side.
However, the teen believes Marcelo Bielsa has changed the role he plays on the pitch from an out and out target man to a more rounded, complete forward role.
Edmondson believes it is ‘brilliant’ someone as young as him has such versatility already in his game.
“I used to be a big target man, I liked the long ball up to me and to try and hold it,” he said.
“Since Bielsa has come into Leeds he has changed all of us as players.
“As strikers now we are running in behind, we are pressing everyone, we are dropping it into feet and spinning off defenders.
“He has taken what I have been which was a big target man and turned me into an all-round striker.
“For someone as young as me to have that versatility, to have that physicality up top and to use my pace to get in behind is brilliant and hopefully I can use it in my game up here.
“As a striker you always want to score goals, but I haven’t set myself a target. I want to come up and make an impact and get as much game time as possible. A few goals won’t go amiss.
“I have come up here to do a job. I have come to help out Aberdeen and to have a successful season with the lads.”
