25-year-old that left Leeds United in 2021 has 19 goals this season, second to Viktor Gyokeres

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During the Victor Orta years at Leeds United, there have been many young imports that have come and gone without ever making a splash on the first team. One of those, is Spanish star Rafa Mujica.

Now 25, Mujica joined Leeds in the summer of 2019. He was on the books for two years at Elland Road, going on loan four times. The latter of which was Spanish side Las Palmas, before joining permanently.

Then, after a tricky year at Las Palmas, he moved to Portuguese side Arouca in the summer of 2022 and has not looked back. This season, he is on fire. He’s netted 19 goals in 30 matches in league and cup.

Of those 19, 16 have come in Portugal’s top tier – leaving Mujica the country’s third-highest top scorer. He is behind Braga’s Simon Banza and Viktor Gyokeres, who have 18. Gyokeres, a former Leeds target.

Rafa Mujica pushing for Portugal golden boot after Leeds exit

Sweden star Gyokeres was linked with a move to Leeds last summer – and is now a target for some of Europe’s biggest. Chelsea have made a £73m bid. Mujica is not far behind the former Coventry star.

It is not as if Leeds are lacking up top. Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter, Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph are all excellent options at this level – and, if the club do gain promotion back to the Premier League.

But Mujica, although never going to reach the level he has done so while at Leeds, is proving he is a top striker in Portuguese football. Three years after leaving Leeds, he is pushing for Portugal’s golden boot.