Leeds complete signing of Junior Firpo from Barcelona in £12.8m move

Leeds United have completed the permanent signing of Junior Firpo from Barcelona.

Firpo, 24, has joined the Elland Road side in a €15 million (£12.8 million) deal after a period of quarantine and the completion of his medical. He has also signed a four-year contract, which will run until the summer of 2025.

 

Barcelona have said they will receive 20 percent of any future fee for Firpo.

 

Left-back has been a priority position for Leeds during the summer transfer window, and Firpo emerged as the club’s first-choice option for the position. Gjanni Alioski, who played in that position for the majority of last season, left the club on Monday after the expiration of his contract.

What has he said?

“I am really happy, I wanted to be here and I always wanted to play in the Premier League,” Firpo said.

 

“This summer for me, there were many clubs interested. But when (director of football) Victor Orta spoke with me and showed me the project, I said, ‘Wow, this is interesting, they really want me’.

 

“At this moment, I said OK, I want to go to Leeds. The people said to me that a full Elland Road is incredible. I want to see this!”

Who is Junior Firpo?

Firpo is a 24-year-old defender who was born in the Dominican Republic. He moved to Spain at the age of six and has since gone on to represent them at youth international level.

 

Firpo broke through at Real Betis after joining them at the age of 18. He made 38 league appearances for the senior side before joining Barcelona in 2019 for €18 million.

 

Firpo has featured infrequently for Barcelona, playing just 41 times in the last two seasons in all competitions.

Why has Leeds moved for him?

Leeds spent most of last season without a conventional left-back.

 

The player who featured there most often, Alioski, has spent the last few seasons primarily playing as a winger. Alioski’s contract with Leeds expired at the end of June.

On Monday, the club confirmed Alioski’s departure from the club after four years.

 

Leeds, therefore, needed a left-back ahead of the new season.

Where can I find out more?

For a detailed profile of the 24-year-old full-back, Go Deeper below.