West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville has lifted the lid on his time at Leeds United - and the heartbreaking way it ended.
The 24-year-old arrived at Elland Road as a teenager and was initially assigned to the club’s under -23s set-up.
However, he soon progressed into a key figure for the Whites at senior level. He was particularly influential following the club’s relegation to the Championship, although he was unable to guide Leeds back into the top flight.
The Dutch wideman’s time in West Yorkshire ended with a play-off final defeat to Southampton, after which West Hame came calling for his services.
Crysencio Summerville was part of the Leeds Unites squad that missed out on promotion to the Premier League in 2024.placeholder image
Crysencio Summerville was part of the Leeds Unites squad that missed out on promotion to the Premier League in 2024. | ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Wembley heartbreak
Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I felt like Leeds is my home. I had a plan there as well. Like I put on my board what my plans were and one of them was bringing Leeds back to the Premier League.
“My mind was only on that. It was very good with many goals, many assists. Only what I still feel in my heart, a heartbreak, we lost the final against Southampton.
“Obviously the season after they managed to come back to the Premier League so I'm still happy for the players who stayed and who are there now."
Raphinha influence
He said: “I used to watch a lot of clips of Neymar, Eden Hazard back in the day at Chelsea, Riyad Mahrez, my type of players.
“I love flair, I love how they play one-v-one with defenders. Obviously I was at Leeds United and I learned a lot from Raphinha as well, a really good player. I spoke with him a lot and picked everything up what he did, what he said. Obviously now he's one of the best players in the world.
Crysencio Summerville returned to Elland Road as a West Ham United player in October.placeholder image
Crysencio Summerville returned to Elland Road as a West Ham United player in October. | Carl Recine/Getty Images
“It came out, like my flowers came out and that always stays with me - ‘don't be scared, just do your thing, show everyone what you're capable of’.”
Summerville is now in a battle with his former club, striving to keep West Ham afloat in the Premier League.
He returned to Elland Road with the Hammers in October, but was on the losing side as Daniel Farke’s men secured a 2-1 win.