Credit: Imago

Mark Smith

Sun 24 May 2026 14:40, UK

Illan Meslier is now days away from leaving Leeds United for good.

The Frenchman has been left out in the cold this season by Daniel Farke, and his contract at Elland Road expires at the end of June.

Meslier was axed towards the end of the Championship-winning campaign, replaced by Karl Darlow, and he never was able to work his way back in.

Lucas Perri was signed from Lyon, and the Brazilian is also currently behind Darlow in the pecking order, leaving Meslier with nowhere to go.

Leeds are ready to make serious changes after surviving in the Premier League, and it could be an emotional summer looking back at those who helped them get there move on.

Josuha Guilavogui remains Elland Road favourite

Josuha Guilavogui may not have done much on the pitch during his time in LS11, but he was a fan and squad favourite for the mentality and personality he delivered off it.

The midfielder was consistently hailed by his teammates and left after promotion, less than a year after signing on a free transfer.

Now, Guilavogui has decided to retire.

As you can imagine, plenty of emotional tributes rolled in from those still at Thorp Arch, with Meslier one of those to respond to the announcement quickly on Instagram.

Largie Ramazani and Willy Gnonto also sent a message to their former teammate, with the latter particularly emotional.

“Congratulations on your career, Uncle. Thank you for everything you have done for me and for all the lessons. It was an honour to be part of your story,” he wrote.

What is next for Illan Meslier?

Meslier has not played one senior minute this season.

It was a sad end to his time at Elland Road, having arrived as a teenager under Marcelo Bielsa, who was thrown into the deep end and played three seasons in the Premier League after.

After the 1-0 win over Brighton last week, Meslier was spotted alone on the Elland Road pitch, taking in the famous stadium likely for one last time before officially moving on.

It’s the right time for Meslier to move on, for the sake of his career and Leeds, too.

Guilavogui got a great reception after retirement, and the young keeper deserves one too once he officially moves on, regardless of the rocky last couple of years.