“FAREWELL LEGEND” – Report: Leeds player’s four-year spell at Elland Road could come to an end today as announcement is prepared – Whites won’t like his departure as there’s no replacement for him

Junior Firpo Set for Real Betis Return as Leeds Promotion Hero Nears Elland Road Exit

Junior Firpo looks poised to return to La Liga, with Real Betis expected to complete the signing of the Leeds United full-back in the coming days—bringing an end to a three-year stay at Elland Road.

The 28-year-old, who played a pivotal role in Leeds’ immediate return to the Premier League, is reportedly close to finalising a move back to the club where he first made his name. While no official statement has yet been made, signs are growing stronger that the deal is all but done—especially after Firpo posted a telling update on social media that hinted at his next destination.

The Dominican international was instrumental during the 2024/25 campaign under Daniel Farke, contributing a remarkable 14 goals and assists from his left-back role. His marauding runs, technical quality and final-third output helped Leeds finish in the automatic promotion spots, cementing his place as one of the Championship’s standout defenders.

Despite his contribution, Firpo appears ready to move on—and Betis have wasted no time in pushing to re-sign the man they sold to Barcelona back in 2019.

Reports in Spain suggest the deal has been close for several weeks, with only the finer details left to iron out. Firpo has added fuel to the fire with a subtle but unmistakable clue on Instagram—posting a photo of himself in Seville alongside a green heart emoji, widely interpreted by fans as a nod to Betis.

Should the move go through, it would represent a homecoming of sorts for the defender, who broke through at Betis before earning a high-profile switch to Barcelona. He made 38 appearances during his first spell with the Andalusian club and was widely regarded as one of La Liga’s brightest young prospects at the time.

At Leeds, his time has been marked by ups and downs. A frustrating start due to injuries and inconsistency was followed by a resurgence under Farke, culminating in arguably the best season of his career to date. His attacking output, coupled with improved defensive discipline, made him a key cog in Leeds’ promotion charge.

Still, Firpo’s contract situation and the interest from Betis appear to have accelerated the process. Leeds, for their part, are believed to be open to the move, as they reshape the squad ahead of their Premier League return. With the club also under pressure to comply with financial regulations and balance the books, the chance to cash in on Firpo now may be seen as pragmatic.

While fans may be disappointed to see one of last season’s top performers depart, Firpo’s likely exit is a reflection of football’s ever-spinning carousel. For Betis, it’s a reunion with a player they know well. For Leeds, it’s the end of a chapter—and the beginning of another rebuild.

An announcement is expected early next week.