An Interview With Ronaldo Vieira Nan

Editor-in-Chief Ryan Ingham chats with new Leeds United academy signing Ronaldo Vieira Nan in what will be a regular feature with the player as he continues his progress at Leeds United. 

Since appearing for Leeds United in a friendly a little over 4 months ago, Ronaldo Vieira Nan has gone on to secure a permanent deal at Leeds United, something that deserves a hell of a lot of praise. 

The Guinea-Bissau born midfielder left Portugal in 2011 and moved with his family to the UK in search of a career in the English game.. He later joined the i2i Football Academy in York and has now gone on to secure a two year scholarship at the Leeds United academy. 

Ronaldo is said to be a central midfielder with an abundance of pace, strength, power and has great awareness on the ball. 

Since joining up with Leeds United, I've had the opportunity to speak with Ronaldo about his move to the Leeds. I've also spoken about his time at the i2i Football Academy, which is one of the top private academies to take on players that need the opportunity to shine and gave them a new lease of life within football. 

Welcome to Leeds United and what a joy it is to have a prospect like you at Lufc; are you happy to be here? 

Yeah I am very happy right now to be at a club of this magnitude, I can't ask for better.

I'm sure you've said goodbye to a lot of good coaches at the I2i academy, has your time there helped your progress? 

Yeah absolutely. I thanked my coaches Mike Morton and Simon Collins for giving me and my brother a chance to represent i2i, it has helped me a lot to develop my skills and become a better footballer.

I'm quite sure that the Leeds fans will be signing your name sooner than later, what would you like to be called? 

I would like to be called Ronaldo as it's my first name but wouldn't mind been called Vieira as well.

Wearing the shirt with a Leeds United emblem on is a dream for most young children around Leeds, do you have any words of advice? 

The advice I would give for those kids would be work hard and never give up on their dreams because with hard work we can get wherever we want. I worked hard to get where I am right now. I'm on the right path to become a professional but still have a lot of work to do.

An image that could lead to a thousand songs, can Ronaldo be the next big thing at Lufc?

How does it feel to represent a club like Leeds United? 

It feels great to represent a club like Leeds, because they have managed to build a good reputation and they are a good club who give chances to young players.

We at weallloveleeds plan to follow your progress every month at the club; until we speak next, what are your aims?

To continue working hard and improve every day. Hopefully see some more game time with the u21’s.

Your name has to be one of the best in football, your parents must surely proud that you're following the path of the heroes you were named after? 

Yeah my parents are very proud right now. They all know I've worked hard and they have helped me through it.  I'm sure they will keep doing it until the end of my career.

Will you be getting a shirt with your full name on? If so, we hope you'll be saving up! 

Ronaldo Vieira would be ok.

Thank you Ronaldo, we hope to catch up with you soon and we are 100% sure you will be a star for the club. 
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Thanks very much

We'd like to thank Ronaldo for taking the time to speak to us and hope that we see him sooner in that famous white shirt that we love so much. 

We'd also like to thank the i2i Football Academy and the i2i Sports Agency, who have not only given Leeds a fantastic opportunity, but they also continue to give players who need that extra bit of attention and training to reach their dream. 

​By Ryan Ingham