Mateo Joseph has described Leeds as "not the prettiest place" to live as the striker seeks to get his career back on track in Spain.
The 21-year-old left Leeds United in the summer transfer window, opting to join RCD Mallorca on loan for the 2025/26 season. Joseph, who refused to join his Whites teammates in their pre-season training camp in Germany after expressing a desire to Daniel Farke to leave the club, said Mallorca manager Jagoba Arrasate and sporting director Pablo Ortells played huge roles in his decision to move to the La Liga outfit.
In an interview with local newspaper Diario de Mallorca, Joseph said: “I had a conversation with Ortells and Jagoba in which they showed me the complete confidence they have in me. In some ways, they knew me almost better than I did, and that made me feel very good. I also made this decision with all my heart.
“Everything they saw that I could exploit in my game, my characteristics, and how they can get the best out of me. I agreed, and that was important to me because they’ll try to get the most out of me, and I’ll give my all, so I think it always has to have a happy ending.”
No permanent transfer option was included as part of the Joseph deal. The Spanish Under-21 international has yet to score or register an assist in three outings.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Joseph at Elland Road. Joseph struggled to hold down a regular starting spot last term as United secured the Championship title. He was mainly utilised off the bench, with Joel Piroe preferred in attack.
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It was former United sporting director Victor Orta and ex-technical assistant Gaby Ruiz who travelled to Spain to convince Joseph to leave Espanyol and join the Whites in January 2022. He said: "Everything they told me when they came to see me has come to fruition. They’re two great people, they had a lot of faith in me, and I’m very grateful for that and I wish them the best.
“It’s a change [move to Leeds], which we believe was for the better, at a club in the Premier League at the time that was calling and offered a very interesting project. It’s gone very well, and I’ve learned a lot from my time there.”
When asked for his thoughts on living in West Yorkshire, Joseph said: "It’s not the same. There aren’t as many things to do, but I knew it was the place I needed to be at that moment. It’s not the prettiest place, but it’s welcoming. I lived near the training ground and used that time to focus on what I had to do.”
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