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Leeds United are about to form a partnership with newly promoted Spanish side Cultural Leonesa. Like a typical feeder club, young players will be groomed at Leonesa with the best being sent to Leeds United.
Cultural Leonesa, or La Cultu, was founded in August 1923. In 2011, the club was relegated to the 4th division of Spanish football in the Tercera División due to unpaid debts to its players. In 2015, the Qatari Aspire Academy bought a controlling 99% of the club, helping La Cultu avoid dissolution. Last season, Cultural Leonesa was promoted to the Segunda División after defeating Barcelona B in promotion playoffs. It marked the first time the club had made it to the second tier in the Spanish footballing pyramid in 42 years.
The Spanish inquisition of Leeds United keeps on continuing. This summer, Leeds have dipped their hands into both Barcelona’s and Real Madrid’s youth academies, as well as other Spanish clubs for transfers (see Saiz, Samu). Building a pipeline into Spain can only bring wonders to the club. The Whites Academy has been revamped this summer transfer window, and having a connection into Spain will only help the development of our young players
Will we see more Spanish-based news around Leeds? We could be. As far as club relationships go, it wouldn't entirely surprise me if we made some sort of deal with Castellon. Why? Well, 1) it's a lower-league Spanish side and 2) it’s owned by Pablo Hernandez.