FA probe Brazilian Adryan’s transfer 
to Leeds

FA officials are examining the Brazilian’s season-long loan move amid suspicions that Adryan is third-party owned by a company in his homeland.

United owner Massimo Cellino confirmed that he expects to meet with FA representatives to discuss the situation later today.

Cellino denied that Leeds were guilty of a breach of the rules on third-party ownership.

Adryan joined United on a temporary basis from Flamengo last August, moving to Elland Road after freeing himself from a separate loan deal at Italian club Cagliari.

Cellino persuaded Cagliari to end their arrangement with Flamengo and a deal was reached to bring Adryan to England with a view to a permanent transfer.

At the time, Leeds negotiated an option allowing them to sign Adryan full-time for around £3m this summer.

The 20-year-old made a limited impact at Elland Road, however, and is not expected to return to the club. He flew home to Brazil after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Rotherham United, the last game of the Championship term.

News of the investigation into his move comes days after Cellino returned from a Football League ban.

FA rules forbid third-party ownership of players and ban payments by clubs to third parties except in exceptional circumstances.

A spokesman for the FA declined to comment but Cellino said: “I’m seeing lawyers from the FA (today).

“They tell me there is a problem so I asked them to come here and see me.

“We did nothing wrong. We dealt with Flamengo and they are his club.

“We never paid any money to anyone else.”

Adryan played 13 times for Leeds this season but drifted out of the first team during the second half of the campaign.

His last appearance came in a 3-2 defeat to Watford at Elland Road in February.

Adryan’s agent has been asked to comment.

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