ROOFE ALREADY FEELS AT HOME

ROOFE ALREADY FEELS AT HOME

New forward takes little time to settle in after linking up with the squad in Ireland...

Kemar Roofe says he already feels at home with United after linking up with his new team-mates at their pre-season training camp in Ireland earlier this week.

Roofe flew out to Dublin on Thursday afternoon - a matter of hours after his switch from Oxford United was finalised, with the forward penning a four-year deal at Elland Road to become the club’s sixth summer signing.

The 23-year-old, last season’s League Two Player of the Year, trained for the first time on Friday and insists that little time was needed to settle into the squad.

“Everything has been really good so far,” said Roofe. “I’m really excited to be here.

“Everyone has welcomed me massively. After my first day of training, it felt like I’d been here for weeks already.

“I already knew Chris Wood from our West Brom days - I know he’s got the big chest and volley down to a tee!

“I’ve been speaking to him. It’ll be good (to work together again). I know his game and he knows my game, so that makes our jobs easier.”

Roofe came to the attention of United, and various other potential suitors, on the back of a prolific campaign which saw him hit 26 goals in 49 appearances as Oxford secured promotion to League One, establishing himself as one of the hottest properties in the Football League in the process.

Reflecting on 2015/16, Roofe said: “It was a massive season for me. The main target was promotion and we got that – we also went to Wembley for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final.

“We had good cup runs and obviously I got personal accolades too – I got the Player of the Season and scored a few goals, which was good.

“I was probably going nowhere in the Under-21s (at West Brom), so I thought I had to take the risk to go down the leagues.

“Everyone thought it was a bit of a gamble but I knew it wouldn’t be a gamble because Oxford are such a great club with the players and the staff there. I was quietly confident that I’d be alright.

“I think the target for any player, if they’re ambitious enough, is to get back up the divisions. But, first and foremost, I just wanted to do well for Oxford.

“I knew that if we were successful as a team, it would be good for me personally.

“I think the Championship is the next step for me now – I’m excited.

“My target is to play in the Premier League and hopefully we can do that with Leeds by getting promoted this season.”

PRE-SEASON: LUTV have joined the United squad on their pre-season tour of Ireland to bring you live commentary of both friendly fixtures, match highlights, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and much more from within the camp. Click here to subscribe now from just £1 per week!

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