Joel Piroe's emotional farewell for Glen Kamara as ex-Leeds United stars send messages following Rennes move
Leeds United confirmed the midfielder’s permanent exit on Tuesday.
Leeds United striker Joel Piroe led the well-wishes overnight as Glen Kamara’s permanent move to Stade Rennais was confirmed.
Kamara signed a four-year deal with Rennes after the Ligue 1 club were able to agree a fee with Leeds, which the YEP believes is somewhere in the region of £8million. Those in charge at Elland Road were not actively looking to sell the 28-year-old but were encouraged to do business once the opportunity arose to almost double their money on a signing made less than 12 months ago.
The Finland international posted an emotional farewell on his social media accounts once the move was confirmed, writing: “I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to @leedsunited for the chance to represent this amazing club. It’s been a short journey but definitely one that I will remember for the rest of my life. To the staff, my team mates and of course the fans, I wish you all the best.”
Despite spending just one year at Elland Road, Kamara quickly became a central part of the Leeds squad and will evidently be missed by his now former teammates. Whites frontman Piroe was among the first to send his best wishes, commenting ‘Will miss you brother and all the best’. Luke Ayling spent just over four months training and playing alongside Kamara before moving to Middlesbrough on loan in January, but having now made that move permanent, he wrote ‘Top Top man!!! All the best to you mate!!’
Archie Gray also secured his permanent exit from Leeds earlier this summer, joining Tottenham in a deal worth £40m, and the 18-year-old will likely have learned a lot from his more experienced midfield counterpart. He commented ‘What a guy’, while Liam Cooper and Joe Gelhardt both wrote ‘What a guy. Good luck bro.’
Leeds did have a place for Kamara in their plans for next season and so are expected to replace him before the August 30 deadline. Having also lost Gray and seen Jamie Shackleton turn down the offer of a new contract in the hope of more regular football at Sheffield United, the club are short in that area.
Joe Rothwell, who joined on a season-long loan from Bournemouth last week, was brought in to compete with Kamara rather than replace him, and the desire for greater attacking output from that area of the pitch suggests a more forward-thinking option would be preferred. There have been reports of interest in Oliver Skipp, who played under Farke at Norwich City, but as of yet there has been no development on that front.
Current focus appears to be on strengthening at right-back, with two bids - both believed to be worth £4m but structured differently - rejected by Sheffield United, who want closer to £7m. Leeds remain keen on the 23-year-old despite being knocked back, with the situation far from over.