Josuha Guilavogui departs Leeds United as a champion

Josuha Guilvaogui joined Leeds United after the 2024/25 campaign had started, during a time where the club needed experience and midfield reinforcement in the battle to secure automatic promotion.

The 34-year-old signed for Daniel Farke’s side in October and would go on to play an important role both on and off the pitch. He will now leave Elland Road upon the expiration of his contract, forever part of a title-winning side.

Josuha's final moments on the pitch for the club came at home to Bristol City in a 4-0 success, which was our last outing at Elland Road in such a memorable campaign. He ended his time having played 16 matches in the league and in none of them were the team defeated.

“There is so much talent in this team and I am lucky to have played with some great players in my career, but here it was more than just players. Everyone here called me Uncle Josh! They gave me more than just this relationship as a football player; they gave me this brotherhood, this respect, and this has no price because when you get to the end, it's not important how many minutes, how many games you are playing. It's how do you feel when you are coming and doing your job. And for me, it was a pleasure. I came every day, even if it was not sunny. I came every day with a smile. I was enjoying my time.”

The most special moment of all came at Plymouth Argyle on the final day. Despite not featuring in the game, Josuha was one of the first down the touchline, joining in the celebrations for the winning goal.

“You know, it was special, but we had so many great moments in our season. You remember when we scored against Sunderland at the last minute and the coach was on the ground! There are so many amazing moments and Plymouth, well it was just a picture of our season, we did everything we could. We also had a lot of pressure because obviously we were promoted, but if we were not champions, we would not celebrate like this because we said at the end, ‘Ah, we should be champions.’

“So we were zero one down, and at the last moment Manor scored an amazing goal, and everyone ran down the pitch, and this is what I mean, it's our season. I have been a professional for 16 years and I have had very good years, but the way we celebrated that was incredible. Everyone who was expecting us to fall down, this thing, "Leeds are falling apart again." So people were making jokes about us, but we proved to everyone that no, Leeds is standing together and Marching On Together.”

With previous silverware to his name during his time in both Germany and France, Guilavogui also brought with him international experience, with the Frenchman playing for his country seven times. He used his experience and infectious personality, helping to bond those close relationships with his teammates.

“I didn't come to be the player who played the most, but the player who would help the most. I remember one sentence from our boss. He said, "Josh, sometimes the most important players are not on the pitch or are not the ones who are playing every game." Every game, it's the ones who are helping all the young players who are very important in the locker room. And I think that at the end, when I got this nickname, Uncle Josh, it's because I was there for everyone, always trying to give my best at training when I was coming in.

“The locker room was so important, it always is if you want to be a successful club, you have to get along and also work hard but always be together. One of my favourite moments, I will give you an example, you remember when we scored [Middlesbrough at home] and Willy came to me and he ran, he ran to me. And this means a lot because obviously when you are scoring, you just think about you, maybe your family or maybe your parents in the stadium. And he went straight towards me, this made me think, wow, Josh, you are in the right place at the right moment. This is what the club needed.”

It wasn’t just with the squad, his desire and personality shone through to all at the club, as he looked to connect with those working on the football side as well as the hard-working team behind-the-scenes.

“I was always the last one to stay at the training ground because obviously I have to be professional. But you don't stay somewhere where you don't feel good. When you don't feel good, you don't want to stay longer. And I enjoyed everything. And I cannot speak about everyone, but even the chef. Our kitchen staff are amazing, our chefs, they were like, "Okay, Josh, I make you a special." And it was always on the way! So this is a five-star club.

“So I would think that the biggest point and the biggest quality of this club is everyone who is working for this club, it means a lot to them. They are not just working, they are part of this club. So if we are winning, they are the happiest. If we are losing, they are really, really upset. Everyone is there and giving their best for Leeds United. It's not just the 11 starters or the squad with 25 players. It's one club, one city. And this is amazing.”

Finally, his community work was also regularly seen. Having ran his own Foundation to help offer support to orphans in Guinea, Josuha wanted to continue his positive mindset within the Leeds community, too.

“Leeds is one of the greatest clubs in the UK, so they have to help the community and this is what I liked. Just before Christmas, we went to the hospice, and after I went to a day with some students at Elland Road to speak about racism. I went also to a training academy in Leeds centre to train with some young players. So this is what I love, being with people to help if I can. Leeds is so big that it's not just about football. We can reach so many people. We can give so much love. I have the feeling that everywhere I have been in the world, there is always one Leeds United fan.”

Josuha will always be remembered at Leeds United for being a champion. In a season which culminated in 100 points, saw memories created both on and off the pitch, and created a promotion to be proud of, he more than played his part. We left the final words to him...

“To all the supporters, thank you, you are truly amazing. I don't know the word in English, but in French we say it's an awake dream. You know what I mean? It's a dream, but you are awake. And this is a typical French word to say that this time has been amazing.

“I was home when Daniel Farke called my agent to say to me, we have some injured players here. Is Josuha fit? Does he still want to play football and does he have interest to come here? And when I came, since the first day, it was an absolute dream, I really had fantastic teammates.

“I haven't been there since the beginning of the season, but I have the feeling that I was there since so many years. We had so much fun and we were really successful. And to play at Elland Road, you know, in France, we hear about Leeds United because there have been some great players. But I've never played in the UK before this. So for me, at 34 years old, coming here, in England and playing for Leeds United, this is something exceptional and I got this privilege and I'm very thankful to this club and our fans. If our coach didn't say, "Josh, I want you to be here," it would never have happened. A big thanks to Daniel Farke for letting me be part of this amazing journey and to wear this shirt from Leeds United.

“I'm not just a supporter. It's in my blood, everyone has it in their blood and now we have the same blood. Our blood is yellow and blue. So I can't describe how I feel, how grateful I feel.

“I will be back to watch in the Premier League, stood in the stands with you.”

Everyone at Leeds United wishes to send their best wishes to Josuha, and he is always welcome back at Elland Road.

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