Victor Orta has revealed Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was very impressed by Ben White after his performances for Leeds United as they won the Championship title.
The England defender has been called up to Gareth Southgate's squad for the first time as part of their provisional 33-man squad for this summer's European Championships.
White has enjoyed a stellar debut Premier League season with Brighton & Hove Albion after bursting onto the scene at Elland Road.
The 23-year-old was a mainstay in Marcelo Bielsa's side as they won the Championship, with White playing his first season at second-tier level and impressing for Leeds.
His meteoric rise has been highlighted with international recognition, leading Orta to namecheck Ramos as an admirer of White.
The Real Madrid captain was left blown away by White, according to Orta, having seen the defender in action.
“I give you an example, Ben White. He was the best player this year [in the Championship], if not best, top five. For me the best. Now he’s in the England squad,” Orta told The Phil Hay Show.
“Ben White doesn’t play one game in the Championship before.
“The loan at Newport was really good and when we start to monitor because we were watching, to be honest, I feel impressed.
“I remember in the first moment Sergio Ramos said ‘who is this kid? playing in the line of Newport’. And was really impressed.
“Even in Brighton (people said), he’s soft. He cannot play Championship. But we think the skills he has fit for us, in terms of distribution, quick – all the style of our special centre-backs.”
