“Delighted,” was the first word that sprung to mind when Leeds United’s first summer signing Harry Wilson was asked about joining the Whites, speaking exclusively to LUTV.

“Really, really excited. It is a massive, massive club in the Premier League where the club belongs so, yeah, really excited to join and hope to have some exciting years together. To play for Leeds, you have to have a big personality. You have to be able to deal with pressure – the demands of the club and demands of the fans. You have to be able to take the pressure and go out and perform.”

It is no secret the long-term admiration the Whites have had for the 29-year-old, who has finally put pen to paper on a deal at Elland Road. Now, following on from a spectacular campaign that brought a five-year spell in the capital with Fulham to a close, Harry’s heart was set on the move from the get-go.

“This summer was different. When the season finished and I became a free transfer, I felt Leeds were the team that really showed the interest in me. And as a player, you want to play for a team which you feel like they want you and you feel like they are doing everything to get you. Speaking with the Welsh boys, I think it was pretty clear that this was the place that I wanted to come.”

The versatile forward, capable of operating in an attacking midfield role or out on the flank, joins after enjoying a stellar campaign in the white of Fulham last time out. His 11 goals and eight assists were enough to crown him as Player of the Year at Craven Cottage and further accolades followed. Capable of the spectacular, his audacious effort against Crystal Palace earned him the BBC’s Goal of the Season award.

“I think personally and collectively, it was a strong, strong season,” the 29-year-old explained, reflecting on his fine year in West London. “I think as an attacker, you are judged on your numbers. My numbers last season were good. I really enjoyed last season and I feel like I am in a really good place coming to Leeds and going into the new one.”

Wilson is the first incoming of the summer and complements an exciting array of attacking options. Harry has played over 150 times in the Premier League, featured on the world stage internationally and hopes that experience can be a factor in helping his new club reach their ambitious goals. From competitors to now teammates, the Welshman likes what he has seen up close and personal.

“Last year was an important year for Leeds. I think as a newly promoted team, it was all about being solid, making sure you stay in the Premier League, because previous years have shown how difficult that can be with the number of teams that have come up and gone straight back down.

“I can only go off the two games I played against Leeds last year. They were both really, really tough games and quite similar in a way. I think at Craven Cottage it was a tight game and Fulham got the win late on. Then at Elland Road again, another tight game where Leeds were the better team and then scored late on.

“I think in both of those games I realised what a difficult team they were. I am just excited to come in, join the group and build on what the team put in place last year. And obviously watching from afar, seeing how tough it is to come here, it shows that they are a really, really competitive team. I am really looking forward to being part of that.”

Wilson’s arrival in West Yorkshire sees the Whites’ close-knit Welsh contingent welcome another dragon to their ranks, with several current Cymru internationals having represented their country alongside the Wrexham-born forward.

“It definitely helps when you have a few familiar faces in the changing room!” he laughed, discussing the importance of settling in quickly in his new surroundings. “And I have certainly got that here, with all the Welsh boys and I know Jayden Bogle too.

“What helps is we are all close. To be playing with the boys at club level and international level, that is only going to bode well. And I feel like when you are playing for a team, when you go out on that pitch, you feel like ultimately you perform better. I think with that Welsh continuity now, bigger with me arriving, that is going to be positive.

“Obviously, I can only speak from the Welsh side of things. In big games, you are always trying to use the crowd to our advantage. There are a lot of similarities to here. We try and use the fans, we try and make it a difficult place to come. I think if you look at both records, they are really, really strong.”

Three of Harry’s impressive eight displays against his new employers have come at the ground he now calls home, beginning with a meeting with Derby County which the Rams edged. The Elland Road crowd left a lasting impression on the forward that night, however, and now the United faithful’s unwavering passion and ferocious backing is something he is relishing in playing in front of, week in, week out.

In the previous term under boss Daniel Farke, 32 points of Leeds’ eventual tally of 47 were earned in LS11 and that comes as no surprise to the former Fulham man, who added: “The atmosphere is incredible. I wasn’t sure if I should bring it up but I go back to 2019… To this day, that is the best atmosphere I have ever played in.

“And like I said, I wasn’t sure whether to bring it up but I think it is a positive. I remember walking out that night and seeing all the scarves getting waved and you couldn't hear yourself think. When that first goal went in, I was like, wow! The fans were incredible. It fills me with excitement that I get to play in front of these fans now.

“I have got uncles who have got close family friends that as soon as they heard the news I was coming here were on the phone to me. I had a few days at home the back end of the week before last and people were coming up to me. They were really excited that I was joining Leeds. Like I said, growing up, I know how big of a club it is. I know how passionate the fans are. I have grown up with that so I know what it is all about.”

With preparations for the upcoming campaign ramping up as the players report back to Thorp Arch in the coming days, the forward arrives at Elland Road after enjoying a warm-weather camp raring to go. Keen to carry last term’s impressive form into his new surroundings, Harry is giving himself the best chance to excel from day one.

“Over the summer break, you have to keep yourself fit,” he finished by saying. “When you go into a new team, I wanted to make sure I was in the best shape possible. So, yeah, I have been doing my running! I have been doing a bit of ball work. I am hoping when pre-season starts next week, I am able to hit the ground running and really get to work.”