Joe Gelhardt sends five-word message as Leeds finalise permanent exit on 31 January
Joe Gelhardt has sent an emotional five-word message to Jack Jenkins after Leeds United confirmed the 21-year-old had left Elland Road.
The Whites announced via their official club website (31 January) that the midfielder had left West Yorkshire to join National League side Halifax Town.
Having come through the club’s ranks at Thorp Arch, Jenkins made many memories with his boyhood side throughout the years. He quickly became a regular within the age groups, netting the winning goal which saw the Under-23s crowned Premier League 2 champions in the 2020/21 season.
He made his first-team debut for the club in January 2021, but that would end up being his only appearance for Leeds at that level, and after spending the first half of the 2023/24 season on loan with Scunthorpe United, he has now left the club permanently.
After so many years at Thorp Arch, it wouldn’t have been easy for Jenkins to say goodbye, and that was clear as he took to social media to pen his final farewell to the club which gave him his first opportunity in football.
Jenkins wrote via his official Instagram (31 January), “I want to thank all the players and staff I have worked with at Leeds United for the past 16 years. I will never forget the amazing experiences I have had and memories I have been able to make with the club I grew up with.”
His comments were full of good luck messages, with Gelhardt’s in particular standing out, the 21-year-old writing, “All the best Jenko son.”
Gelhardt and Jenkins would have spent a lot of time together with Leeds’ Under-21s, with the striker netting 11 goals and providing three assists in Leeds’ Premier League 2-winning campaign.
However, where Jenkins struggled to break into the first-team picture at Elland Road, Gelhardt has had much more success, making 49 appearances so far at senior level.
Nonetheless, he has become something of an outcast under Daniel Farke, making just six appearances in the Championship so far this season.
As a result, the young forward has been linked with a move away from the club and could soon join his former teammate on the departures list before Thursday 1 February.
Celtic and Rangers have registered their interest in the Leeds man, as per Dean Jones via Give Me Sport (18 January).
Although time is now running out, and Leeds fans will have to wait patiently to see if Gelhardt is writing a goodbye message of his own before tomorrow’s deadline.
In other Leeds United news, two players have been ruled out as Daniel Farke has provided an update on Crysencio Summerville ahead of the clash with Bristol City.
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