Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto [Credit: Imago]

Graham Smyth shares what he saw Aaronson do for 'disappointed' Gnonto in Leeds United v Hull City

Dan is a sports writer and broadcaster, who wrote for Breaking Media Limited's club sites between May 2024 and May 2025. Graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2018 with First Class Honours in Sports Journalism, Dan has worked with several EFL clubs, as well as with BBC Radio, talkSPORT and TNT Sports. He previously resided in Sydney, Australia, where he continued his career as a freelance writer and broadcaster in various sports.

Published on:

01 Sep 2024, 12:40 pm

Graham Smyth has shared the moment he noticed between Brenden Aaronson and Wilfried Gnonto as Leeds United secured victory over Hull City.

Gnonto - who is celebrating a new contract extension at Elland Road [Leeds United official website, 31 August] - was shown to be visibly disappointed upon being substituted by Daniel Farke with the score at 1-0, as he and Manor Solomon were replaced by goalscorer Joel Piroe and Largie Ramazani.

Smyth, the Yorkshire Evening Post's chief football writer, noticed a gesture from teammate Aaronson to the young Italian.

He said [1 September]: "Aaronson with an encouraging word in the ear of Gnonto as he trudged off to be substituted looking a little disappointed."

Leeds United secure Wilfried Gnonto future

Leeds United have been bolstered with the excellent news that Gnonto has extended his contract with a new four-year deal.

This follows a positive end to a largely frustrating transfer window, during which the Whites lost a fair chunk of their star-studded squad only to struggle to find adequate replacements.

The club did, however, manage to get some key deals over the line and have bulked out the numbers in Farke's squad - and the settling of Gnonto's immediate future will settle the player, his manager and the fans.

Willy Gnonto is a high-value player at Leeds United. (Credit: Imago)

Consistency will waver at times for the 20-year-old, but the quality will shine through and be integral to Leeds' promotion bid this campaign.

The determination will be there for the forward to work his way back into international recognition with Italy, and will hope Azzurri boss Luciano Spalletti is keeping an eye on the Championship title race.

In other Leeds news, Raphinha is credited by fellow ex-Whites stars after his feat for Barcelona.

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Leeds United

Brenden Aaronson

Wilfried Gnonto