Leeds United brought in Bundesliga veteran Josuha Guilavogui last week as a free agent to finish out the season.
The club turned to the free agent market following injuries to key players Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, both of whom are crucial to Daniel Farke’s plans. Their long-term absences left Farke facing a tricky lineup decision.
In the meantime, Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have stepped up, helping Leeds secure recent wins over Sheffield United and Watford. But with the demanding Championship schedule, adding extra depth became essential to keep the squad competitive.
After exploring several options, Leeds United has decided to bring in seven-time French international Guilavogui to strengthen their midfield. A Bundesliga legend, he last played for Mainz and made 250 appearances for VfL Wolfsburg, where he served as club captain. Guilavogui also had a stint in Spain with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
What Josuha Guilavogu will bring to the Leeds United squad
Daniel Farke talked about Josuha Guilavogui in the press conference (Credits: Imago Images)
The veteran is now on a contract reported to be worth around £1 million, with a weekly salary of £20,000. It’s still unclear how much Guilavogui will actually play for Leeds United this season.
Still, he’ll definitely contribute to the team’s spirit in the dressing room and on the training ground in the coming months. Wolfsburg captain Maximilian Arnold understands this well; he recently shared his thoughts with Leeds Live.
“Josh is one of the most loyal people I’ve had the pleasure to get to know in football,” Arnold explained to Leeds Live. “You could always count on him.
“He was there whenever you wanted to talk and always tried to help you. He was more like a big brother than just a teammate. Anyone can come to Josh if they have a question. He always has an open ear for everyone.
“He’s a family-oriented guy who is always eager to win games and be successful. The players and fans in Leeds can really look forward to having him in their club.”
Farke has described Guilavogui as a “mentor” who speaks four languages. It’s important to note that after Leeds’ tough playoff final loss to Southampton in May, the manager emphasized the need for more experience in the squad. At 34, Guilavogui is by far the oldest player in a dressing room where the average age is just 24.
