Ao Tanaka’s Leeds United career saw him join just before the fourth matchday of the campaign, and he did not start a game until the eighth matchday.

Leeds United signed Ao Tanaka when he had already made four appearances for Fortuna Dusseldorf that season. Tanaka arrived from Dusseldorf for just £3.4 million after some strong seasons in the 2. Bundesliga.

He only came into the team last season following Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev getting injuries in back-to-back games against Norwich City and Coventry City, with the Japanese midfielder and Joe Rothwell locking things down in the engine room for two months.

Tanaka has hinted no promotion would have seen him exit Leeds — and it’s fair to say things got dicey for Leeds during that period, with their midfield options stretched so thin for 12 Championship fixtures in succession.

Leeds duo Jayden Bogle and Ao TanakaPhoto by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesAo Tanaka explains how it was to break into Leeds’ team under Daniel Farke

Once Tanaka established himself in the team, he ended up starting 37 of the next 39 Championship games. English football’s second tier is the highest club level that the 27-year-old has played at, until now.

Tanaka’s Championship award nominations were richly deserved, with the 27-year-old the player becoming the heartbeat of Daniel Farke’s team after some patience. However, Tanaka has admitted his nerves were intense for Leeds in the run-in since.

That was also why Tanaka was in the PFA Team of the Season recently alongside four other teammates at Leeds. The Japanese international was also named as the Player’s Player of the Season at Leeds, despite Dan James winning the fan award.

Tanaka was spotted holidaying with Joel Piroe in Japan this summer. It was during that time where he took part in an interview with GOAL, who have revealed the midfielder’s thoughts on how he broke into the first-team to become a regular.

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He said: “First of all, when I joined the team, I was determined to get promoted. However, to be honest, I didn’t think I’d be able to play in so many games. I joined at the last minute, so with consecutive games and international breaks, I didn’t have many opportunities to practice properly at first.

“However, I was able to practice properly for about two weeks before the international break in October, which made me think, ‘I can do it here too’. Of course, the level was incredibly high, and at first I thought it was completely different.

“But at the same time, I was confident that I could make it as a starter. I was waiting for my chance, thinking, ‘I’ll be able to do it if I play’, and then, due to an injury, I was able to make it as a starter.

“For the first two or three games, my teammates didn’t know me well, so I played a little too safely, but after I was able to play to a certain extent in the top-of-the-table match against Sheffield United in October, I think I gained their trust.

“From there, it felt like things were going smoothly.”

Tanaka has posted emotional social media messages in recent weeks, which outline his feelings on moving to the top flight of one of Europe’s major leagues at last. However, it’s safe to say he earned it following incredible performances last season.

Leeds United FC v Sheffield United FC - Sky Bet ChampionshipPhoto by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesHow Daniel Farke convinced Ao Tanaka to join Leeds

Farke convinced Tanaka to come to Leeds, with the midfielder’s agent sharing how that came about back in December of last year, stating: “Leeds explained the project to Ao Tanaka very precisely.

“Daniel Farke showed him that he is the type of player Leeds needs. Leeds offered him an ideal platform to develop. A look at the data also shows this.

“I have to give Farke a lot of praise. He recognized exactly what skills Ao has. That doesn’t mean German clubs didn’t recognise this potential. Move to a Bundesliga club didn’t work out for a variety of reasons.”

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Given the comments above from November last year, as we shared on social media, the respect and feeling between the pair is absolutely reciprocated. Leeds have a gem on their hands with Tanaka.