Junior Firpo is here. The left-back has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Leeds United, strecthing until the summer of 2015. Leeds confirmed the news at midday on Tuesday, and the ex-Barcelona star has since spoken about his move. It comes less than 24 hours after Gjanni Alioski left.
Firpo, 24, joins Leeds after two tricky seasons at Barcelona in which he managed just 41 appearances. Operating as Jordi Alba’s back-up, the Dominican Republic found game time few and far between. At Leeds, he will be one of the first names on the team sheet under Marcelo Bielsa.
It comes after Gjanni Alioski was confirmed as leaving Leeds this summer. His contract came to an end last week and now, Leeds have said that the North Macedonia international has left and is a free agent. A move to Turkey is likely for Alioski, with an offer from Trabzonspor on the table.
What has Firpo said following Leeds move?
Firpo has now been added to a Leeds side in need of a left-back, even if Alioski had remained at Elland Road. The ex-Real Betis man spoke of his delight to have become a Leeds player. He spoke of being happy with the project shown to him by sporting director Victor Orta.
“I am really happy, I wanted to come here,” Firpo told the club’s website. “I always wanted to play in the Premier League. To be here, at this club, it is a very historic club with really good fans. I am happy and excited to play here all the time. I am really happy.
“Victor Orta came to speak with me and showed me the project. I said ‘wow, that is interesting’. In this moment, I decided to come to Leeds. The people says to me that a full Elland Road is incredible. I want to see. Anytime I play I will give 100%. I also want to say, Marching on Together.”