Why Ben White's agent continues to irritate Brighton fans with latest Leeds United comments

The Brighton defender was excellent for Leeds during his season long loan at Elland Road. The Whites made three attempts to sign him during the summer with reported bids of £18.5m, £22m and £25m all rejected by Brighton.

White, 22, had two years plus the option of a third remaining on his previous deal and after much negotiation eventually agreed vastly improved terms with the Seagulls until June 2024.

With fellow defenders Shane Duffy agreeing a loan move to Celtic and Matt Clarke returning on loan to Derby, White is expected to be a key figure in Graham Potter's first team this season and is pushing hard for a starting role in their season opener against Chelsea on September 14.

Levack was a guest on the Sky Sports The Transfer Show and when asked if White, 22, was disappointed a permanent move to Leeds didn't materialise, the agent said: "Of course. He enjoyed his time at Leeds incredibly.

"They looked after him so well, the fans were fantastic to him. But when a football club don't want to sell it's very difficult. There was a tinge of disappointment but that passed quickly, Ben's head is fully at Brighton and he wants to get cracking in the Premier League now.

"It dragged on for quite a long time, but I'm delighted for Ben that it got done," he added. "He deserves it. The main consideration for us was whether or not he was going to play.

"On reflection, with the deal he's just signed, also the fact Brighton let Shane Duffy leave, Matt Clarke going to Derby, that shows the intent that Ben is going back there to play.

"That was the most important factor with Ben signing a new contract."

White played in every Leeds league game last season as they clinched promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 2004. His defensive partnership with Leeds skipper Liam Cooper helped produce 22 clean sheets.

“It’s hard to put into words how good last year was," said White earlier this week."Playing week-in, week-out in the Championship was amazing in a really strong team, which really helped how I want to play.

“It was a really good year, we finished as champions and got the club back into the Premier League, which is where they want to be.

“When I arrived there I got put with the under-23s, so I thought ‘oh dear!’.

“The Friday before the first game against Bristol City, Marcelo Bielsa put me in the first team changing room, so that was a relief.”

White had previously enjoyed loan spells at Newport and Peterborough but his year under Bielsa was hugely beneficial to his development.

“I learned so much from him," White added. "It was the detail in every aspect of the game that he put the work into.

“His coaching was all about details, the minor details, things like how the ball spins when you pass it, how you’re passing it, why you’re passing it.

“I also want to thank the Leeds supporters, they were unbelievable every single week. Even when they weren’t allowed to be there.

“They were very good to me, and were always really supportive to me and the rest of the team – and the club will always be special to me.

“I hope the fans will be allowed back by the time we play there, and I just hope that I will get a good reception when we go back.”