Leeds United have signed Bundesliga legend Josuha Guilavogui as a free agent for the rest of the season.
Leeds turned to the free agent market after injuries to skipper Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. The duo are key men for Daniel Farke and their long term absence created quite the conundrum for the Leeds manager to solve.
Both Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have stepped up, guiding Leeds to back to back wins over Sheffield United and Watford, but with the amount of games in the Championship, another body was key to navigating the season.
Needing reinforcements, Leeds were linked with Liverpool Ace Tyler Morton but a more immediate solution was needed so Leeds explored the free agent market.
After assessing a few options, the seven-time French international Guilavogui was identified as the man to plug the hole in the Leeds United midfield. He is a Bundesliga legend, last playing for Mainz but registering 250 appearances for VfL Wolfsburg as their club captain. He also had a spell in Spain for La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
He agreed the deal on October 23rd and awaited clearance from the EFL but is now officially a Leeds United player on a deal expected to be worth about £1 million (£20,000 per week).
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Guilavogui speaks on joining Leeds United
Having agreed to join the club on a short term deal, the French midfielder is reportedly able to feature in the squad for the clash against Bristol City on Saturday lunchtime.
Ahead of that game, he has had his say on what the move to Elland Road means to him. He said to the club’s website:
“I have never played in England and I think as a football player this is a really amazing experience and for playing for Leeds, a historic club, this is a wonderful opportunity for me,” Guilavogui explained.
“I am looking forward to training with the team, to help the team on the pitch, outside the pitch as well and hopefully that we set our goals.
“I had some offers, but nothing that I would say, okay, let’s do it. And when my agent called me and said that Daniel has interest to sign me and watched over me, I said, yeah, let’s go straight, straight to Leeds.
“Sometimes in life you have some opportunities and you don’t want to miss it. I am really happy to be here.
“When I spoke with our manager, he knows what I can bring on the pitch and also outside the pitch, because we don’t forget that we have injured players and I am there to help them. And when they will recover, I will also help the young players.
“That is why I was captain, like everywhere where I played, because I am someone that is always thinking about how can I make my teammates better, how can I improve. I am here for helping the team and I really hope that we will go to the Premier League.
“It is always better to jump in the team when they are winning and I was there for the game against Sheffield United and it was a really amazing performance. They had no chance and we could have scored more than two goals. So, yeah, it is a really good feeling.”
