Spain forward Rodrigo 'excited' to be joining Leeds United

Newly promoted Premier League side pay club record £27m to bolster attack

Valencia's Rodrigo has joined Leeds for a club record fee. AP

Leeds United have completed the signing of Spain forward Rodrigo from Valencia for a club record fee.

The 29-year-old has penned a four-year deal at Elland Road after Leeds reached an agreement with the Spanish club to pay £27 million (Dh132m).

Rodrigo, who scored 59 goals in 220 games for Valencia after he joined from Benfica in 2014, bolsters Marcelo Bielsa's attacking options ahead of Leeds United's first season back in the top flight for 16 years.

"For me I'm really happy and very excited to join the club, this is an important season for all of us, coming back to the Premier League," Rodrigo told the club's website.

"Leeds have been working for almost two weeks on this deal with Valencia and from the first time [Leeds sporting director] Victor Orta talked to me, I knew I wanted this new challenge.

"Of course Marcelo Bielsa is one of the best coaches in football at this moment, he has done important things at different clubs and I'm excited to learn from him, improve my football with hard work and teamwork and I hope we can do important things this season."

Rodrigo, who can operate as a winger or striker, Rodrigo spent time at Celta Vigo and Real Madrid during his youth career, before being snapped up by Portuguese giants Benfica.

He is no stranger to the Premier League, having spent time on loan with then top-flight side Bolton Wanderers during the 2010/11 season, making 17 appearances.

On returning to Benfica he scored 27 goals in 67 league outings and in the 2013/14 season helped the club win the treble, by securing the Primeira Liga, Taca de Portugal and Taca da Liga.

Rodrigo also helped Benfica reach the Uefa Europa League final in 2013 and 2014, playing in both finals against Chelsea and Sevilla.

Ahead of the 2014/15 season, Rodrigo joined Valencia for the campaign on loan, before his stay became permanent.

Rodrigo has won 22 caps for Spain and will have an opportunity to add further to that during the upcoming Nations League matches against Germany and Ukraine.

Leeds' previous record transfer was former England captain Rio Ferdinand, who cost £18m from West Ham in 2000.

They won the Championship by 10 points last season to secure their return to the top flight for the first time since 2004, and visit champions Liverpool in their opening match on September 12.