One-time mystery Leeds United signing Dario Meadows now retired, aged 20, to pursue music dream

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Before the start of the 2016-17 season, Leeds United made a loan signing that certainly crept under the radar at Elland Road. They snapped up talented Italian teenager Dario Meadows on loan from AS Roma.

Born in Kent, he moved to Italy when he was six and was over the moon to have joined Leeds, as quoted by Sky Sports. 

“Leeds have great history and are one of the best clubs in England for producing young players, I’m really happy to be here.”

Leeds, it seemed, had high hopes for Meadows. However, Meadows was not appearing for the club’s youth teams and it was clear something was awry. 

Eventually, it was his cousin on Twitter who cleared things up in November 2016. Chris Meadows explained FA would not allow Meadows to play for Leeds until he had turned 18 – so the young winger returned to Rome. He also stated that ‘fingers crossed’ Meadows might one day return to Leeds. 

He went on to start impressing for Roma’s Primavera team, playing in a variety of positions. He won the Italian Youth Cup. He was called up for an Italian under-20 team that played San Marino in August 2018. It seemed as though a bright future in the game was ahead for a player Leeds United were clearly once hot on. 

However, it may come as a surprise to hear that Meadows, aged just 20, is now retired. He left Roma in the summer of 2018 and has gone on to pursue his passion in music. 

Under the name ‘Die L Trevoh 84’, Meadows has an album, ‘Why Am I So in Love with the Past and Not the Future?’ that was released this year and is available on Spotify. 

Leeds United clearly hoped to help mold Meadows into a top young professional footballer. 

However, he clearly has passion elsewhere and he should be commended for following his real dream when football seemed a safer option. 

Hopefully, the ex-Leeds loanee can go on to achieve all he wants in the musical field.