Leeds United sell midfielder to Europa Conference League club and shift big wage off the books — YEP 28/6/24

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By Graham Smyth

Leeds United have confirmed the sale of midfielder Marc Roca to Real Betis for an undisclosed fee.

Roca made it clear his intention was not to return to Elland Road this summer after a season on loan with Real Betis in LaLiga. The 27-year-old spent the 2022/23 campaign with Leeds after a £10m move from Bayern Munich that saw him sign a four-year deal. But relegation in his first year all-but signalled the end of his time as a Leeds player. Roca was one of several players to use a relegation release clause in his contract, securing a loan move away from Elland Road. The loan clauses were inserted into contracts to give players an option other than the significant wage cut that was also written into deals to protect the club in the event of relegation. Roca and others opted to stay on Premier League wages and ply their trade elsewhere on loan.

It became clear towards the end of this season, through the player’s own words, that he saw himself at Real Betis for the 2024/25 season too. He was one of a small number of Leeds escapees with the ability to reactivate his loan clause. The two clubs have now come to terms on a deal that makes the arrangement permanent. Though the fee is undisclosed, reports in Spain suggested a sum of around £4m was on the table and the YEP understands that Leeds are not expecting to suffer a loss when it comes to Profitability and Sustainability book keeping. This is due to Roca's present book value of £5 million, with two years remaining on his four-year Leeds contract, because half of the initial fee paid to bring him to Leeds from Bayern Munich has already been amortised.

Roca, who made 26 LaLiga appearances last season and helped Real Betis qualify for the Europa Conference League, departs Leeds having played 36 times, scoring once. A club statement read: “Leeds United can confirm Marc Roca has joined Spanish La Liga outfit Real Betis, for an undisclosed fee. Roca spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Estadio Benito Villamarín and has now agreed a permanent move.”

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