Leeds United's willingness to give young players an opportunity to impress at first-team level was what convinced goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel to seal a summer transfer to Elland Road.
That is according to his agent, Daan Kramp.
The 17-year-old sealed a move to the Whites on Tuesday, becoming their sixth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Illan Meslier on a permanent deal from FC Lorient, Cody Drameh from Fulham, Linfield youngster Charlie Allen, Jack Harrison, who has returned from Manchester City for a third successive season, and Wigan Athletic youngster Joe Gelhardt.
van den Heuvel has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Elland Road, ensuring the Whites are well covered between the sticks for the next few years at least.
The youngster, who has been capped four times for the Netherlands at Under-17 level, made the decision to leave Dutch giants Ajax earlier this year, despite having been offered fresh terms by last season's Uefa Champions League semi-finalists.
However, van den Heuvel, after lengthy discussions with his representatives, thought it made more sense for him to seal a move elsewhere in the search for first-team football.
And it has now been confirmed by van den Heuvel's agent that the offer to join Leeds was just too good to turn down, with Kramp confirming that they had looked at Leeds' decision to install Meslier as the club's No.1 goalkeeper, despite being the tender age of just 20-years-old.
Kramp, as quoted by Sport Witness, said: “At Leeds, Dani has more prospects than at Ajax. The club’s first team goalkeeper [Illan Meslier] is 20 years old.
"That indicates that they have an eye for young goalkeepers. The club really wants to invest in him and has a clear plan in mind.
"It’s a nice step for him."
Though van den Heuvel will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Meslier and have a chance of becoming the Whites' first-choice shot-stopper in years to come, he faces plenty of hard work before making that dream a reality.
Currently, Meslier, Kiko Casilla and fellow youngster Elia Caprile are all ahead of him in the pecking order.
But with Leeds' academy having recently been granted Category One Status, van den Heuvel will be hoping to test himself in competitive action against League One and League Two sides in the EFL Trophy.
The draw for the group stage of the competition was made on Tuesday and Leeds will face League One duo Accrington Stanley and Blackpool as well as EFL newcomers Barrow.
