The news that many Leeds fans were dreading has finally come: Kalvin Phillips, Leeds United academy graduate and life-long fan, has officially left the club to join Manchester City in a £42 million deal plus add-ons.
The 26-year-old will go down as a legend in the eyes of many, being instrumental in the club’s promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years and staying with the club for longer than he perhaps could have, with interest coming from numerous Premier League clubs even before Leeds had made it out of the Championship.
He issued a classy, heart-felt message to everyone involved at Leeds United once the deal had been announced.
Dear @LUFC… 🤍 pic.twitter.com/bA3YAcq7VJ
— Kalvin Phillips (@Kalvinphillips) July 4, 2022
However, some good news has come out of the club this morning as well. Darko Gyabi, a highly-rated talented midfielder, has signed on a four-year-deal from Manchester City.
✍️ #LUFC is pleased to announce the arrival of midfielder Darko Gyabi, on a four-year-deal from Manchester City
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 4, 2022
The 18-year old has been capped at every level from under-15 to under-18 for England and took the u18 Premier League by storm, scoring 9 goals and providing 2 assists in 22 games between 2019 and 2021 before moving up to under-23 level at the age of just 17.
Gyabi played all of the final 10 games of the PL2 season for the under-23s, including picking up an assist in a 3-1 win over Leeds.
He signs for a reported £5 million. Speaking to LUTV, he says:
“The fans are what has attracted me the most. I played here last season and the fans were crazy in an Under-23s game, so I can’t imagine how that’s going to be in a full stadium.”
Asked what kind of player Leeds fans should expect, he explained:
“I like to get on the ball. I like to drive with the ball and carry the ball, I am creative and I like to score goals as well, I can keep possession and play forward.”
“Off the ball I am very aggressive and I can press, I work hard as well. I want to push and help as much as I can with the team, get into the squad and show what I am about.”
Are you happy with this signing?