Leeds United academy forward Rafa Mujica is to join Villarreal’s B-team on loan for the second half of the season, according to Gols Media.
Mujica had spent the first half of the campaign away from Elland Road on loan with Spanish Segunda Division outfit Extremadura UD, but was often an outcast of Manuel Alfredo Mosquera Bastida’s first-team plans at the Estadio Francisco de la Hera.
Manuel had only awarded Mujica appearances in seven league matches, with each outing coming from the bench, and the 21-year-old has only played 83 minutes of football all season.
The former FC Barcelona academy talent’s struggles at a side currently just two points above bottom-placed Racing Santander have sparked action back in West Yorkshire, with Leeds chiefs terminating Mujica’s loan spell with Extremadura.
Mujica will now move to join Villarreal’s second string for the remainder of the term, as they look to build on their current eighth-placed standing in the Spanish third-tier.
Does Mujica have a first-team future with Leeds?
Yes
No
Mujica signed a three-year contract with Leeds last summer after being released by Barcelona, and United chiefs will be hoping that his second temporary home of the season will see the centre-forward better display the mobility which led to his capture as a free agent.
Life at Extremadura was far from being beneficial for Mujica’s career, with the 21-year-old playing just four per cent of the total minutes to have been available to him in the Segunda Division under Manuel.
Failing to score in any of his substitute appearances – or in his only start of the season against Tercera Division side Club Portugalete in the Copa del Ray- will have done his confidence no good, and hopefully life at Villarreal will see Mujica sparkle if the former Spanish youth international has any hopes of a first-team future at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, reports have distanced the club from signing a six-goal centre-forward this month.