Owen Coyle says new Leeds United signing Rodrigo's class was clear to see when the Spanish striker arrived in England as a teenager for a loan spell at Bolton ten years ago.
Rodrigo was confirmed as Leeds' club record signing on Saturday when his £27million switch from Valencia was confirmed and he returns for a second Premier League stint, following his Lancashire loan spell in the 2010-11 season.
That presented Rodrigo with the opportunity to make his senior debut in football under Coyle who was in charge of the Trotters at that time.
Now in charge of Indian Super League side Jamshedpur, Coyle has recalled his time working with Rodrigo.
"It was just obvious he was class," he says in Sunday's edition of The Sun.
"We had experienced lads like Kevin Davies, Johan Elmander and Ivan Klasnic about - but they all liked and respected him. Big Kev said to me after the first day's training that we had signed a good one. He would also take knocks and just bounce back."
"He always had a smile on his face, even if he was not in the side. I was more frustrated than him that he could not get more chances.
"His attitude was spot on. He was so humble and had such desire. It was just impossible NOT to like him. We used him as an impact sub and some things he did showed he was going to be superb - we all just knew he would be a star."
Rodrigo had just completed a transfer to Benfica when he moved to Bolton and would go on to establish himself with the Portuguese giants, winning a domestic treble in 2013-14 and then earning a move to Valencia.
He arrives at Elland Road following Leeds' return to the Premier League, with the club breaking a 20-year-old transfer record to get their man.
"There is a reason why Bielsa wants him - he will compliment them," Coyle added. "Rodrigo can play anywhere across the front, is a very clever player and can score and create.
"But above all, Bielsa knows a team player when he sees one. He will improve everyone in that team when he plays."
