Former Rovers Rothwell on loan move to Leeds and Premier League target

Joe Rothwell is keen to help Leeds win promotion back to the Premier League after joining the Yorkshire club on a season-long loan deal.

Former Rovers player Rothwell spent the second half of last season on loan at Southampton from Bournemouth, making 20 appearances.

The midfielder is relishing the challenge ahead as Leeds aim to make a step up from last term, which ended agonizingly against Saints in the play-off final.

“As soon as I heard about the interest, it was something I was desperate to do and we managed to do it quite quickly,” he told the club’s official channels.

“I had some good conversations with (Daniel Farke). Obviously, he spoke highly of the place and what brought him here.

“It made me want to come here even more and there is only one goal this year. I don’t think Leeds United need to sell him to anyone, it’s a huge football club.

“We were a bit unlucky last year and the aim is to get back to the Premier League. I want to come here, try to add some experience and help the team do that.

“It’s been a bit of a strange season with the team racking up the points they’ve done. In any other season, 90 points usually gets you high.

“It’s been a strange season, but watching from afar, they’re a really exciting team to watch and it’s something I’m really excited to be a part of.”

Rothwell spent four seasons at Ewood Park before moving to Bournemouth in the summer of 2022.

The 29-year-old played 13 times for the Cherries in the first half of last season, scoring in a Carabao Cup tie against Stoke.

Despite helping Southampton to promotion back to the top flight, Rothwell admitted his time at St Mary’s didn’t exactly go to plan.

Earlier this summer, he said: “It probably didn’t take off at all like I would have liked, but I’ve tried to contribute in ways that I can.

“We managed to get the job done in the end. Obviously, that was the ultimate goal when we came here, so luckily we’ve been able to do that.”