Leeds United underwent a major squad overhaul in the summer, with several players departing the club. Daniel Farke made it clear which players he wanted to keep, while others were encouraged to move on from Elland Road to continue their careers elsewhere.
The Leeds manager made some cut-throat decisions to ensure that his squad were properly retooled ahead of their return to the Premier League, which also meant that a few youngsters were shown the door.
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A number of them needed loan opportunities to further develop, while others were informed that they had no future at Elland Road and were asked to seek permanent exits.
Leeds also offered fresh terms to four academy youngsters, which were revealed in their retained list. Three of them signed new contracts while James Debayo opted to move on.
Where is the former Leeds United defender?
James Debayo was once seen as someone who had a long-term future at Leeds, and even impressed Farke in his limited appearances last year.
However, he didn’t get the number of opportunities he wanted and was happy to leave the club once his contract expired at the end of last season.
Leeds wanted to hold on to him, but he opted to move on. However, there has been little to no news about him finding a new club this season.
Belgian club Cercle Brugge and Portuguese club SC Uniao Torreense had made offers to sign him in the summer, and the defender was considering his options.
However, Debayo has yet to find a new club, and there is zero news about his current status following his departure from Leeds at the end of last season.
There was real excitement around Debayo at Leeds
Debayo made his debut for Leeds against Swansea City in the Championship last season, and there was genuine excitement around the young defender.
Even Farke was impressed with the youngster, who regularly trained with the first team and was seen as a genuine top prospect at Elland Road.
However, the pressure to get promoted meant the Leeds boss could not really give him the minutes he needed to feel wanted at the club, and it eventually led to his summer departure.
Leeds were eager to keep him and even offered a new contract, but Debayo believed he’d have a better chance of regular first-team football elsewhere.
However, the defender has yet to find a new club, and it seems he has disappeared without a trace as he navigates life outside Leeds.
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