'Tanaka is one of the best bargains in Leeds history'

There are surely few signings in Leeds United's history that have been as instantly successful and as instantly loved by the fanbase as Ao Tanaka.

Signed on last summer's transfer deadline day, Tanaka seemed to have been third choice after bids for FC Koln's Dejan Ljubicic and Sheffield United's Gustavo Hamer were knocked back, but Daniel Farke has coveted him since he first saw him in Germany's second division.

His introduction against Cardiff City at the end of September was only his third substitute appearances for Leeds, and he had never come on earlier than the 86th minute.

Since then, no other footballer in the top four divisions of English football has completed over 1,000 passes and more than 50 tackles.

The love from Ao was just as instant.

Interviewed for Leeds United's programme for the Sheffield Wednesday game last Sunday, Tanaka spoke of his first impressions at the Peacock's training ground: "I remember thinking: 'If I play with these team-mates I can improve my quality and I will be able to enjoy playing football with these team-mates.'"

Against Sheffield Wednesday, it was another man-of-the-match performance - the type of display he has been putting in regularly since breaking into the starting line-up, he could arguably be man of the match in most of the games he has played for United.

In addition to passes and tackles, Tanaka is now adding goals to his performances – something that was missing last season when the Whites scored zero goals from central midfield.

The £2.9m for Tanaka is one of the best bargains in Leeds history and shows that there is value available in the market should they look to strengthen in January.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock