Josuha Guilavogui has detailed what he is hoping to bring to Leeds United after conversations with Daniel Farke over the last couple of weeks.
Guilavogui has finally put pen-to-paper on a deal at Elland Road until the end of the season to bring an end to Leeds’ search for a free agent signing.
The 34-year-old has been in and around Thorp Arch for several days now and was even in attendance for each of Leeds’ last two home wins.
Having been without a club since his release from Mainz in the summer, Guilavogui says this is an opportunity he simply could not turn down.
Due to injuries at the same time for all of Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev and Max Wober, Farke has been determined to bring someone in capable of playing both at centre-back, and in midfield. Guilavogui is someone who fits the bill.
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Guilavogui shares what Farke told him about Leeds move
Despite injuries to three of Leeds’ international stars, Farke currently has a very settled spine in Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka.
However, further injuries to any of that quartet would leave Leeds extremely short and so Guilavogui has effectively been brought in as cover for all of them.
Just like any footballer, Guilavogui is of course desperate to play as many minutes as he possibly can, but those four players have barely put a foot wrong across the last three matches either side of the break.
Speaking in his first interview as a Leeds player, Guilavogui explained what Farke has told him about his role at the club this season, something which he seems very excited to be apart of, even off the pitch.
He said: “When I spoke with our manager, he knows what I can bring on the pitch, but also outside the pitch because we don’t have to forget that we have injured players and I am there to help them, and when they will recover I will also help the young players.
“When you are now 34, you can bring something else on the pitch and this is what I will. Of course, I am football player and I would love to play until I am 45-years-old. But you have to open the eyes and know that if you really want to help the team, you have to help your teammates.
“That’s why I was captain everywhere I played, because I am someone who is always thinking, how can I make my teammates better? How I can improve? And that everyone goes on the same side because the season is very long.
“Sometimes you can forget and be like we are a little bit tired as in the Championship you don’t even have the Christmas break. I am here to help the team and I hope we can go to the Premier League.”
- READ MORE: Why Dan James was left ‘devastated’ during Leeds United’s win over Watford at Elland Road
Guilavogui on what he has seen from Leeds so far
As mentioned, Guilavogui watched both of Leeds’ league matches against Sheffield United and Watford.
Picking up back-to-back wins, Guilavogui was impressed with what he saw, reserving specific praise for Leeds’ performance in the win over the Blades.
He said: “Of course it is always better to join a team when they are winning. I was there for the Sheffield United game and it was a really amazing performance.
“They had no chances, and we could score more than two goals. It is a really good feeling.”
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