£5m man admits finding it ‘tough’ under Daniel Farke as Leeds United exit completed this week

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Darko Gyabi has completed a loan move to Championship side Plymouth Argyle from Leeds United this week – and the midfielder has admitted he found it “tough” under Daniel Farke at Elland Road.

Gyabi, 19, has only managed two senior outings this season for Leeds – having won just three last term. It comes after completing a £5m move from Manchester City, with Kalvin Phillips moving the other way.

For a number of players, relegation was seen as a possible opportunity for some players. Fringe stars, or younger players, to become first choice. Cree Summerville, Archie Gray and Pascal Struijk have profited.

But the likes of Sonny Perkins, Charlie Cresswell, Joe Gelhardt, Mateo Joseph and plenty of others have struggled for minutes this season – and Gyabi is another name on that list. He has now joined Plymouth.

Farke said a move was in the offing in a press conference on Thursday. Moments later it was confirmed he’d gone to Plymouth. Speaking to his new side’s website, Gyabi said it was tough under gaffer Farke.

“I left City in 2022 to move to Leeds, got some experience last season in the Premier League and the FA Cup. I found games tough to come by this season,” Gyabi said, in his first interview with Argyle’s site.

“Now on loan to Argyle, another brilliant step. It all made sense. The opportunity to come to Argyle was there for me, I know the gaffer already and know some of the boys. It was a perfect opportunity for me.”

Darko Gyabi admits life was tough under Daniel Farke at Leeds

Sympathy can be placed at the door of Gyabi, who featured in pre-season against Manchester United in Oslo. Leeds signed Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara, pushing Gyabi back down the rankings.

What Gyabi did get wrong, was choosing to ignore a move in the summer. Reports said that Fleetwood wanted him on loan, while a permanent offer was made by second-tier French side Valenciennes.

He should have gone then, instead of hanging round at Leeds – it is another wasted six months with the midfielder in need of senior game time. Gyabi now has that chance to shine, on loan at Plymouth.