Archie Gray, Ao Tanaka respond to emotional Junior Firpo message after Leeds exit
Archie Gray and Ao Tanaka are among those that have reacted to an emotional return message from Junior Firpo following his Leeds departure last month.
Leeds marched on to the Championship title last term in superb form, as Daniel Farke’s side picked up 100 points across the campaign to return to the Premier League at the second time of asking.
Firpo was a key man for the Whites throughout their title-winning season, as he was in each of the previous four years following a move to Elland Road from Barcelona in 2021.
Former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who remains very well-connected at the club, told Football Insider in May that Firpo was set to be let go by Daniel Farke this summer as he approached the end of his contract.
Firpo duly departed Elland Road last month upon the expiry of his deal, despite their return to the top-flight, and he has now penned an emotional return message after a new move was confirmed.
Firpo sends emotional message after Betis return
Firpo joined Real Betis‘ youth set-up as an 18-year-old in 2014, and he progressed through their academy ranks to make 43 appearances for their senior side between 2017 and 2019.
He was heavily linked with re-joining the La Liga side prior to his Whites exit, and Betis moved to officially announce Firpo’s return to the club on Thursday (17 July) with an Instagram post saying: “OFICIAL. Junior Firpo regresa al (Real Betis). ¡Bienvenido a tu casa, (Junior Firpo)!” which translates to “OFFICIAL. Junior Firpo returns to (Real Betis). Welcome home (Junior Firpo)!”
Firpo updated his own Instagram page with a video message to their adoring supporters after the move was confirmed, and a caption saying: “El tiempo pasa, el sentimiento no cambia. Estoy de vuelta (Real Betis),” which translates to “Time passes, feelings don’t change. I’m back (Real Betis).”
Former Leeds man Archie Gray and current Whites star Ao Tanaka both reacted to his post with a like, while Large Ramazani, Willy Gnonto, Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper were among those that followed suit, and Joel Robles left two hands-up emojis in the comments.
Daniel Farke has already smartly replaced Firpo
Football Insider verdict
Leeds’ search for a new left-back likely began long before the summer window opened, with Firpo always seeming like he was on his way out, while the club looked set to seal promotion for the majority of the campaign.
He left with best wishes from Leeds fans, as despite some shaky performances in the Premier League, he was a standout in the second-tier and eventually racked up over 110 appearances for the Whites across four seasons.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 119 | 6 | 22 |
Football Insider understand that Daniel Farke has £150million to splash this summer, and he has already moved to plug the gap left by Firpo by bringing Lille left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson to Elland Road.
As well as him and veteran full-back Sam Byram, Leeds are also targeting Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell, as revealed to Football Insider by former scout Mick Brown, and so while Firpo will be missed, they have replaced him pretty well so far and look to be continuing to do so.