One thing that is apparent among Daniel Farke’s Leeds United squad is that there is a family feel in the squad. Even those that don’t play much, feel like they are a part of this squad.
Josuha Guilavogui and Alex Cairns were celebrated as much as Ethan Ampadu, Junior Firpo and those that start week in, week out during the promotion celebrations and the open-top bus parade this month.
Of course, it helps when the club is winning football matches. But after relegation, Daniel Farke has won the love of Leeds fans back and reignited that connection between supporters and the players this term.
But that connection and affection is not just between fans and players, it is among the players as well. The perfect example of that is what left-back Firpo has been seen wearing while in The Dominican Republic.
Junior Firpo dons Ao Tanaka’s Japan shirt while on a quadbike
The Leeds players are on their holidays at the moment, after a trip to Las Vegas. Manor Solomon is back home in Israel, Ilia Gruev has been in Spain while Firpo is in his home country of the Dominican Republic.
The left-back will represent his country in World Cup qualifiers and their first-ever Gold Cup this summer. But ahead of those matches, he is clearly enjoying a bit of down time with his young family and wife.
Firpo posted a series of images on his Instagram this week, including walking across a forest bridge with an American football style Leeds jersey. He also posted an image wearing Ao Tanaka’s no.17 Japan shirt.
Below is Firpo’s post, with the Tanaka shirt image being the fifth of seven.
A post shared by Junior Firpo (@juniorfirpo3)
Where does Firpo’s future lie as Leeds contract edges towards end
Leeds published their retained list this month and it confirmed the departures of 11 players in total. Josuha Guilavogui is the headline exit, while 10 youngsters have gone including goalkeeper Harry Christy.
Firpo told Paraag Marathe to send him a new deal, but that was on the Monday night after the parade in Leeds. Some alcohol may have been consumed. The retained list confirmed Leeds are in talks with Firpo.
But those at Leeds are ‘widely anticipating’ Firpo to leave when his deal ends on June 30. New reports this week say Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Lazio all want Firpo. Nothing has been confirmed, yet.
