Leeds United confirmed the arrival of Josuha Guilavogui on a free transfer this week and the new signing has compared himself to Elland Road icon Olivier Dacourt, saying they are both “aggressive”.
Guilavogui, 34, joins the club after Daniel Farke identified the need for a free agent that could help cover the lack of options in central midfield and at centre-back. The France star has been without a club.
Having spent nine years at Wolfsburg, the first two of which were on loan, Guilavogui joined Mainz in 2023 but only lasted a year and played just 12 times. It saw him leave on a free transfer back in June.
That has allowed Leeds to sign him on a free. A player with character and an interesting career including a spell at Atletico Madrid, and even Nadiem Amiri helping to save Guilavogui’s life earlier this year.
Josuha Guilavogui says he will speak with Olivier Dacourt
Dacourt of course, was the midfield general in David O’Leary’s young Leeds side that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League at the beginning of the millennium. Guilavogui says he knows him well.
Speaking to LUTV after completing his move to Leeds and signing a deal until the end of the season, the versatile ace was asked if he plays like Dacourt and said that they are both “aggressive” midfielders.
“Leeds is very famous in France. Olivier Dacourt played here, Marcelo Bielsa was here. The French always follow Leeds. To be part of this amazing club is something I’m very thankful for,” Guilavogui told LUTV.
“Both aggressive players,” Guilavogui said, when asked if he plays like Dacourt. “He was really aggressive. We have mutual friends so I will speak with him and get advice to make this journey even better.”
Guilavogui and Dacourt’s discipline records compared
The duo are similar in many regards. Both holding midfielders, they both started in France. Guilavogui with St. Etienne and Dacourt with Strasbourg, before playing in one of Europe’s big leagues and England.
Dacourt with Inter and Roma in Italy, Guilavogui with Wolfsburg and Mainz. Guilavogui is 84 appearances shy of Dacourt’s 503 club games and while Dacourt has 46 more red cards, Guilavogui has more reds.
| Name | Career appearances | Yellows | Reds |
| Oliver Dacourt | 503 | 119 | 3 |
| Josuha Guilavogui | 419 | 73 | 7 |
While Guilavogui might be available when Leeds go to Bristol City this weekend, it is unlikely Farke will risk a player that has not played 90 minutes since March. Chances are, he will need to build his fitness.
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