Luke Ayling, Pascal Struijk & Stuart Dallas salute Illan Meslier after emotional Leeds farewell | OneFootball

Illan Meslier has been flooded with tributes from Leeds United favourites after posting an emotional farewell. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the club confirmed his exit last week after his contract expired, following a spell that brought two Championship title-winner’s medals and a period as a Premier League regular under Marcelo Bielsa.

The final seasons were challenging, he lost his place to Karl Darlow and did not feature for the first team last season. In an Instagram message on Friday night, the 26-year-old thanked supporters and staff, recalling how he arrived in 2019 as a 19-year-old and found a club and fanbase that shaped him on and off the pitch.

He added: “After seven years, the time has come to take on a new challenge and step into a new chapter of my career. Leeds will never leave me. This city, this club, this shirt; it’s part of who I am now and always will be.”

Only Pascal Struijk has been at Leeds longer among the current squad, and team-mates past and present sent messages. Luke Ayling wrote: “Be very proud of what you did at our club. You're a top top player and even better person my friend. All the best in the future.”

Stuart Dallas wrote: “Absolute pleasure. Amazing times together. Best wishes for whatever is next.” Pascal Struijk wrote: “It was a pleasure.” Further tributes came from Willy Gnonto, Joel Piroe, Josuha Guilavogui, Barry Douglas, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Dani van den Heuvel.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk