Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Tue 26 May 2026 7:19, UK Updated Tue 26 May 2026 7:47, UK

Willy Gnonto was among the Leeds United players to react as Mateo Joseph penned an emotional farewell to loan club Mallorca.

Joseph spent the entire 2025-26 season on loan with the LaLiga side and featured 30 times in all competitions.

The 22-year-old directly contributed to five goals in the league, but it was not enough to prevent Mallorca from being relegated.

With the forward’s Elland Road future unclear, it appears an exit route to Mallorca has now closed itself off.

Joseph has said goodbye to Mallorca fans as he now prepares for his return to West Yorkshire.

Junior Firpo also reaches out to Mateo Joseph after Mallorca exit

Joseph was well liked by the Mallorca fanbase, even if two goals and three assists does not sound all that great on the face of it.

The former Spain Under-21s international was not fancied by Daniel Farke at Leeds and the loan spell at least meant he played regularly over the past nine months.

Joseph suffered an injury setback at Mallorca that curtailed his season and he is unlikely to have a future at Elland Road, all things considered.

For now, Joseph is reflecting on a disappointing campaign for Mallorca following their relegation to the second tier.

“It’s been hard to find the words for these past few days,” he wrote. “When I got here I came borrowed, but the reality is that from the first moment they never made me feel ‘passed by’.

“I felt like part of the club, the locker room, and the city. And that, in such an important year for me, is worth a lot. It hurts I didn’t get to finish the season on the field.

“Injury came at a difficult time and I wish I could help more, be there until the end and give back a bit of everything I’ve received this year.

“Still, I have lived every game, every moment and every strike as one more. I know exactly how much this team has worked and how much this locker room has suffered.

“Sometimes football doesn’t give back what you deserve, but I have no doubt that this club will go back where it belongs.

“Thanks to everyone who forms part of Mallorca, colleagues, staff, doctors and all the people who work every day within the club.

“Most of all, thanks to the fans. If a player on loan ends up feeling this shield as his, it’s for you. I wish you the best, from the bottom of my heart.

“I am convinced that this is not the end, but the beginning of something that will make you even more close together.”

Gnonto and Illan Meslier were among a string of Leeds players to ‘like’ the message on Instagram, while ex-United colleague Junior Firpo wrote: “With you always.”

What did Daniel Farke say about Joseph’s future in April?

Farke was asked about Joseph’s future, and that of Leeds’ other players out on loan, towards the end of this past season.

The German said at the time: “At the moment my full focus is just on the players here and our task. I’m not willing to speak on anything in the future, loan players, potential signings, recruitment or whatever.”

The major issue Joseph now faces is that he sustained an ACL injury that not only ended his 2025-26 season early, but will also rule him out for a chunk of next season.

On the face of it, Joseph will have to rebuild his fitness at Thorp Arch and potentially find another club – possibly on loan – early in the New Year.

But as for his days as a Leeds player, they are surely now numbered while the Whites remain in the Premier League.