Leeds United made to rue January exit as Joe Gelhardt announcement made
Joe Gelhardt being allowed to leave Leeds United in January has proven to be a shrewd decision for the 22-year-old.
Gelhardt departed Elland Road on loan for the rest of the season as the only first-team incoming or outgoing of the winter transfer window, being announced as a new Hull City player on 15 January.
Having made just three appearances in the first half of the campaign, with two Championship substitute appearances, Gelhardt has since featured in all 12 league games the Tigers have played, starting 11.
With three goals scored already, Gelhardt has broken a drought stretching back to August 2023, and a player who was billed as Leeds’ next great hope is finding a new lease of life away from Elland Road.
Joe Gelhardt announcement made at Hull City
Gelhardt has finally been able to recapture the form which first earned him a spot in Leeds’ first team during his brief time in East Yorkshire, becoming a mainstay for Hull in their fight against relegation.
| Club | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Left on Bench | Not in Squad |
| Leeds United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 16 |
| Hull City | 12 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
That ever-presence – and the three goals to come with it – has been acknowledged by Hull as the final international break of the Championship season beds in, naming Gelhardt as their player of the month.
In his first full month at the MKM Stadium, Gelhardt started five times, all in wide positions, and though his three goals have come in January and March instead, that contribution has now been recognised.
Thoroughly deserved, Joff 👏
— Hull City (@HullCity) March 20, 2025
Joe Gelhardt is your February Safiport Player of the Month! 🏆#hcafc
Gelhardt gives Leeds glimpse into what they’ve been missing
Deemed surplus to requirements at Elland Road, Gelhardt is displaying levels of form which, at present, would surely put him within touching distance of a place back in Daniel Farke’s first-choice squad.
As well as making just two league appearances as a substitute before 15 January, Gelhardt only featured eight times on the bench itself, being excluded from 16 matchday squads in total over the same period.
Gelhardt’s versatility to play on either flank and, crucially, in the number 10 role, has reaped rewards at Hull, and though they’re at opposite ends of the table, Leeds could surely benefit from another option.
Brenden Aaronson’s form has dipped significantly following 36 consecutive starts, and while Farke has been adamant that he’s the only true option in this position, Gelhardt’s form says otherwise to the east.