Leeds United reveal summer transfer window exit ahead of retained list announcement — YEP 10/6/26

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By Graham Smyth

Leeds United’s full retained list is expected later today.

Leeds United will say goodbye to a two-time title winner this summer.

The Whites are due to publish their retained list by noon on Wednesday along with the rest of the Premier League clubs yet to do so. One of the names it will reveal among the summer exits is that of goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

The Frenchman was originally brought to the club on loan from FC Lorient in 2019 and having been drafted into the first team towards the end of his first season during Kiko Casilla’s racism ban, helped Marcelo Bielsa's men to win the Championship.

Meslier remained first-choice keeper for the vast majority of Leeds' three seasons in the top flight, until Sam Allardyce dropped him for the final handful of games in what was a doomed attempt to keep the Whites up.

Daniel Farke also saw Meslier as his number one for almost two full seasons, but brought Karl Darlow in between the sticks for the promotion run-in. That spelled the end of Meslier's first team involvement. Last season the goalkeeping duties were shared between new signing Lucas Perri and Darlow.

Meslier's departure was expected this summer upon the expiry of his contract.

Leeds United statement on Illan Meslier exit

A club statement confirmed it, saying: "Leeds United can confirm Illan Meslier will leave the club this summer, upon the expiration of his contract at Elland Road.

“The goalkeeper played a big part in the club’s promotion winning campaigns to the Premier League in both 2019/20 and 2024/25 and departs as a two-time champion. He will always be part of our proud history.

"Throughout Meslier's time in West Yorkshire he remained a strong team-mate and a constant competitor on the pitch."

Meslier made 215 appearances for Leeds and kept 72 clean sheets.

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