Wilfried Gnonto explains Fiorentina loan after 'not very positive' Leeds year | OneFootball

Wilfried Gnonto says he needed a change after a Leeds United season of limited minutes, and has switched to Fiorentina to reset his career.

He joined on deadline day, with his exit tied to Jean-Matteo Bahoya’s arrival. According to Leeds Live, the deal contains a purchase option that could take the total to £18m with add-ons.

The winger has already scored for his new club, netting in Tuesday’s 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Pisa. It was his first goal since he struck against Derby County in the FA Cup in January.

Gnonto began seven games for Leeds last season, three in cups. Only one league start came after August and none after November, and he logged 524 league minutes. Across the 18 months before departing, he started just 10 league fixtures.

He kept his frustration private during Leeds’ survival push but felt a change was required. He said he did not seek to force a departure, yet Fiorentina’s interest appealed and he hoped the move would happen. He believes returning to Italy suits his national team prospects after what he called a not very positive year.

Gnonto has 13 caps for Italy, 11 of them under newly-returned head coach Roberto Mancini in 2022 and 2023. He has not played for the senior side for three years but hopes to work his way back. It is his first club stint in Italy since leaving Inter’s under-19s for FC Zurich in 2020, and he highlighted Fiorentina’s fanbase as a decisive draw.

Source: Leeds Live

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