FORMER Wanderers loanee Rodrigo is looking forward to returning to the Premier League after becoming Leeds’ record signing a decade on from joining Bolton.

It was back on August 31, 2010, that he was signed as a relatively unknown teenager by Owen Coyle on loan from Benfica.

The Brazilian-born Spain international showed flashes of what he could do, including a memorable derby goal against Wigan, but would make just four Premier League starts in 21 appearances in all competitions.

Despite being in and out of the side, Wanderers did try to make the deal permanent in the summer of 2011, but a fee could not be agreed with Benfica.

Now it has cost Leeds a reported £30million to take the 29-year-old from Valencia as they spend big on their return to the Premier League.

“I’m really excited and very happy to join the club in this important season for all of us,” Rodrigo said.

“Since the first time Victor (Orta, director of football) talked to me I knew I wanted this new challenge with Leeds.

“I will be working with one of the best coaches (Marcelo Bielsa) in football, he has done important things in different clubs and I’m excited to learn.”

The 22-cap Spain international had spells at Celta Vigo and Real Madrid as a youngster before moving to Benfica, going on to score 27 times in 67 games before joining Valencia.

In his six seasons at the Mestalla, Rodrigo scored 59 goals in 220 appearances and won the Copa del Rey in 2019.

He scored 10 goals for club and country in 38 games last season, including the winner in Valencia’s 1-0 Champions League win at Chelsea in September.