Leeds United confirm exit of ‘exemplary professional’ Karl Darlow after contract offer | OneFootball

Leeds United have confirmed the departure of goalkeeper Karl Darlow, 35, after he rejected a new contract, with the stopper joining Manchester United to provide back-up to their first-choice goalkeeper.

yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk understands the offer did not include a guarantee of the number one spot, which Darlow declined before choosing Manchester United.

Darlow linked up with Daniel Farke’s squad ahead of 2023/24 and debuted in a League Cup win over Shrewsbury Town. The following campaign he excelled across the final seven Championship matches as Leeds won six and lifted the second tier title at Plymouth Argyle on the last day of a record-breaking year.

In that same term he made his Wales debut, following his grandfather by representing the Dragons in a 2-1 away win over Montenegro. He now has 15 full caps and is established as Cymru’s number one.

With Leeds back in the Premier League, Darlow featured 22 times and earned April’s Save of the Month for a point-blank stop to deny Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Ladislav Krejci.

Lauded by the club as an exemplary professional who committed significant time to community work, he leaves with 38 appearances for Leeds and appreciation for his role in the 2024/25 title triumph and top-flight survival last term.

Leeds have planned to recruit another goalkeeper this summer. With Illan Meslier joining Arsenal and Darlow gone, Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns are Farke’s options until a new arrival. Perri has been linked with Torino in Italy, while Leeds are known to hold interest in James Trafford and Zion Suzuki.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk