This month, Leeds United welcomed veteran midfielder Josuha Guilavogui, who has joined the club as a free agent for the remainder of the season. However, this doesn’t mean the Whites will stop searching for midfielders once the January transfer window opens.
After exploring several options, Leeds identified the seven-time French international Guilavogui as the right fit to strengthen their midfield. A Bundesliga legend, he last played for Mainz but made a significant impact at VfL Wolfsburg, where he captained the team and made 250 appearances. He also enjoyed a stint with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
Leeds turned to the free agent market after injuries left key players Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev sidelined, creating a real challenge for manager Daniel Farke. In their absence, Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have stepped up, helping the team secure victories over Sheffield United and Watford.
Still, with the grueling Championship schedule ahead, bringing in another player was crucial for Leeds to maintain their momentum. As a result, the Yorkshire club signed Guilavogui in a deal expected to be around £1 million, with a weekly salary of £20,000.
Josuha Guilavogui is already making an impact at Leeds United
Guilavogui is just over a week into his time at Elland Road. Following a brief trial, he signed a short-term deal. Despite this, Pascal Struijk has shared insights on the immediate impact Guilavogui has made at Leeds United since joining on a free transfer. Struijk first wanted to highlight what a ‘top guy’ Guilavogui is before discussing his actual ability.
“I mean as a guy, he is a top guy,” Struijk said in an interview with BBC Radio Leeds. “From the first moment he came in here he had a smile on his face. He trains with a smile, and as a player he is really good. You can see the experience he has, like in the reading of the game.
“He is calm and composed on the ball, so everything you would want really from a number six, or number four. He has played at the highest level and you can only see with the experience he has, sometimes he makes it look easy, because that’s what great players do.”
