Leeds complete Facundo Buonanotte loan from Brighton after Chelsea stint ended | OneFootball

Leeds United have signed Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion after his Chelsea spell was cut short.

The Athletic reported earlier on Thursday that the agreement was close once his Stamford Bridge stint ended.

Leeds tried to land the Argentina international last August, with travel and a medical arranged, before Chelsea intervened.

At Chelsea he played only 45 minutes in the Premier League this season and made eight appearances overall, scoring once with two assists.

Left-footed and keen to cut in from the right, he fits the profile Leeds felt they lacked after the summer window. His arrival strengthens the final third and could let Daniel Farke move from a five-man defence.

Farke declined to address Buonanotte directly, but said they missed out late on a creative No 10 or winger in the summer and would act only if a signing improves the squad and character fit.

Asked if Chelsea would seek a replacement, Liam Rosenior said Buonanotte’s minutes were not what he wanted and they were looking for the best solution, adding recruitment would be considered only if it helped the team and club.

Buonanotte’s Brighton contract runs to June 2028 and the Leeds deal lasts until the end of this season. Daniel James is the only injury absentee this weekend, with Jayden Bogle and Sebastiaan Bornauw back in full training.

Source: NY Times