Illan Meslier confirms Leeds United permanent move, excited to face ‘world stars’

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United loanee Illan Meslier has confirmed he will be signing for the club permanently later this week, and expressed his excitement at playing in the Premier League.  

The Frenchman was signed as back-up to Kiko Casilla last summer, arriving on a season-long loan deal from Lorient. 

The talented youngster has since established himself as a genuine first-choice option during Casilla’s ban and plenty of Leeds United fans would now consider him the club’s number one goalkeeper. 

“I will sign Thursday for three years with Leeds, it’s a great story,” the 20-year-old told French publication Ouest France. “At Lorient, I was second-choice goalkeeper and in August 2019, I had to make a choice. I always believed in it, I had the opportunity to show myself in Leeds and it paid off.”

Meslier has certainly proved himself and Leeds fans have been won over by the player, who clearly fits into Marcelo Bielsa’s style of play. 

Meslier also spoke of his excitement at playing in the Premier League. “Great players will arrive in Leeds to play in the Premier League, world stars,” he stated. “I hope to experience great things with this club. Already, we will aim for maintenance, but here we would like to relive the heyday of Leeds, and all those club epics that have been remembered.”

No details of a fee have yet been revealed but a report from The Telegraph earlier this year suggested Leeds had an option to sign Meslier for £5 million.

Leeds United are certainly in a good position regarding their current goalkeeping situation, with both Meslier and Casilla capable of playing the role of starter, whilst talented Italian Elia Caprile is one for the future. 

Meslier will now be hoping to win the battle for Leeds’ number one jersey and following his excellent form in the season run-in not many would argue if he was indeed given a chance as first-choice next season.