Servette academy manager Massimo Lombardo has explained why his side lost Diogo Monteiro to Leeds United, during an interview with Corriere del Ticino.
The Whites completed the 18-year-old’s signing towards the end of the winter market and handed him a deal until 2026.
Monteiro is yet to make an appearance for Leeds’ first team but has been included in the match-day squad on four occasions this year.
The Switzerland-born Portugal U19 international made his first team debut for Servette in March 2021 when he came off the bench against FC Basel. Since then, he featured six times for the senior team and all of those appearances were this season.
Monteiro was largely restricted to a substitute’s role and a lack of regular opportunities at the Swiss club convinced him to leave them for Leeds. That’s at least what Lombardo believes.
Corriere del Ticino carried a detailed interview with Lombardo and when discussing ‘lost jewels’, he spoke about Monteiro and Roggerio Nyakossi moving to Leeds and Marseille respectively.
“There are many variables to take into consideration. Naturally, the willingness of the first team to concede playing minutes has an impact,” Lombardo said.
“But the same goes for the opportunities presented to the boy, to which must be added the ambitions of himself and his entourage. Another case is that of Roggerio Nyakossi, who moved to Marseille [in 2022].”
