Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Mon 18 May 2026 16:40, UK

Illan Meslier cut a lonely figure as he bowed out at Elland Road following Leeds United‘s late 1-0 win over Brighton.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin‘s 95th-minute goal earned Leeds three more points in their final league outing on home soil this term.

It was a particularly emotional occasion for the players out of contract this summer, with third-choice goalkeeper Meslier among them.

Meslier is not likely to sign a new deal in West Yorkshire this summer and will therefore seek pastures news.

And the Italian was sure to take in the moment in his last outing at Elland Road as a Leeds player.

Illan Meslier stays behind after fans leave Elland Road

Elland Road was in a party mood thanks to the late winner against Brighton, although Daniel Farke‘s survival aim was completed a while ago anyway.

Rather than giving some of the departing players a run-out against the Seagulls, Farke opted to instead go with a strong line-up – and rightly so.

That meant sentimentality did not cloud is judgement in not naming Meslier in the matchday squad. Karl Darlow has been first choice for a while now, with Lucas Perri second in command.

While Sam Byram got a chance to feature before saying a likely farewell, Meslier had to wait until after the match to do so.

Meslier was among the players that paraded the field at full-time to thank those in attendance for their support this season, as is customary.

But as pointed out by BBC reporter Jonathan Bucan via X, Meslier also stuck around after the Elland Road crowds had cleared.

He was seen sitting on a ball in the penalty area without anybody else around in what is a rather lonely image.

“Illan Meslier having a moment on his own on the Elland Road pitch before departing on a free transfer this summer,” he wrote. “A sad way for his time at the club to come to an end.”

Where is Meslier likely to end up post-Leeds?

Meslier was linked with a Leeds exit last summer around the time of Perri joining, and then more prominently in the winter window.

A move to Turkey looked a strong possibility at one point, as it did for Perri, but ultimately both keepers remained at Leeds.

It may well be that one of the heavyweight clubs in the Super Lig come calling again over the coming weeks, with Meslier now available on a free.

There were recent reports that a Ligue 1 move could be on the cards, meanwhile, six years on from departing Lorient.

Time will tell on that front, but it is a certainty that Meslier will not be at Elland Road beyond next week.