Leeds United confirmed their squad numbers for the new season on Friday ahead of the Championship opener with Cardiff City tomorrow.
The Whites updated the list on their official website with a number of players having been handed new numbers on the eve of the 2023/24 campaign.
Charlie Cresswell, Sam Greenwood and Archie Gray are among the most notable number changes this summer, receiving five, 19 and 22 respectively.
However, there are also some notable absentees from the list, including that of returning winger Helder Costa, who has seen his number 17 shirt replaced by Jamie Shackleton.
Costa has been back at Thorp Arch for pre-season this summer but has played no part in any of the friendlies, and is expected to leave before the end of the window.
Costa not handed number is biggest indication yet of Leeds exit
Despite that, perhaps the biggest indication yet he has absolutely no future at Elland Road is the fact he has not been handed a shirt number.
Given his experience in this league, it wouldn’t have been inconceivable at the start of the summer to suggest he could have a part to play this season, but it is not to be.
Costa has spent the last two years out on loan at Valencia and Al-Ittihad respectively and it appears as though Leeds will not be changing their stance that he is surplus to requirements.
Links to other clubs have been few and far between with less than a month of the window to go, though with Jorge Mendes as his agent, a move will surely happen.
Leeds are able to sanction just one more international loan this summer and it wouldn’t be a surprise if it is Costa, even if a permanent exit would be best for all parties.
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