Football

Star Midfielder Departs Leeds United Immediately for MLS

Star Midfielder Departs Leeds United Immediately for MLS
Leeds United's Mateusz Klich waves goodbye to the fans before leaving the club after the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Wednesday January 4, 2023. - Photo by Icon sport

Leeds United announced the departure of Polish midfielder Mateusz Klich to the USA’s Major League Soccer following the side’s 202 draw with West Hama at Elland Road on Wednesday evening.

In a statement posted the club’s website, the Premier League side announced that the popular player would be departing Yorkshire after making 195 appearances for Leeds, 81 of which were made on the club’s historic return to the English top-flight.

Klich’s Leeds United Career

After signing from FC Twente for 1.5 million pounds in June 2017, Klich was sent back out on loan to another Dutch side, FC Utrecht the following January.  Despite initial difficulties, the Pole would go on to play a major part in Leeds’ return to the Premier League (after 16 years spent in the EFL (under Argentinean manager Marcelo Bielsa.

The midfielder became a regular starter for the club under Bielsa, so much so that he missed just one game in the side’s two years in the Championship under the Argentine.

“With the appointment of new head coach Marcelo Bielsa, Klich thrived, starting and scoring in the first game of the 2018/19 Sky Bet Championship season in a memorable 3-1 victory over Stoke City at Elland Road,” the Leeds United statement read.

“Since returning to the top-flight, Klich has gone onto make 81 Premier League appearances for Leeds, helping the club finish ninth in 2020/21 and avoid relegation on the last day of the campaign last season,” the release went on to state.

Klich’s Impact on Leeds United

Klich played a role at Leeds until the very end, coming on as a substitute in yesterday evening’s 2-2 draw with West Ham at Elland Road.

The home side went ahead through Wilfried Gnonto on 27 minutes but found themselves a goal down a minute into the second half after the Irons’ Lucas Paqueta levelled the affair just before half-time and a defensive error allowed Gianluca Scamacca to score  in the 46th minute.

Leeds manager Jesse Marsch  made a vital double substitution in the 63rd minute as Leeds chased the game and brought on Klich and winger Jack Harrison to boost his team’s attack.

The substitutions of Klich and Harrison proved successful as Leeds went on to level within ten minutes when Rodrigo netted the equalizer.

The game would end in a draw and only then the home support become aware of Klich’s upcoming departure from the club.

“LUFC announce Mateusz Klich will leave the club, pending an offer from Major League Soccer,” the club tweeted after the final result.

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Players donned Mateusz Klich t-shirts as the home crowd applauded the player, who spent five and a half years at the club in total. The Polish fan-favorite was given a guard of honor as he left Elland Road for the final time ahead of a reported move to the MLS’ DC United.

At a press conference on Thursday, Marsch praised the player as he spoke about motivating his team to escape from what looks like an upcoming relegation battle similar to last season.

“We need to summon our inner Klichy.”


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