Mateusz Klich has revealed he sobbed once it became clear his Leeds United career was over. Despite a rocky start to life at Elland Road, the Pole struck a chord with supporters during the 2019-20 Championship-winning campaign.
A picture of Klich smoking a cigar once promotion was confirmed remains iconic with Leeds supporters, as do countless entertaining moments over the years which made him a cult hero at Elland Road. However, Father Time is undefeated and, at 32, the midfielder fell down the pecking order this season.
Klich failed to make a Premier League start in 2022-23, triggering his desire to leave in January. DC United offered him an escape route and a fresh challenge for the twilight of his career.
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Speaking to Polish outlet SportoweFakty, the midfielder admitted to “crying a lot” when fans wrote their farewell messages. He said: “Yes, I had a loan offer from the Netherlands, but I decided that it was okay. In the end, it wasn’t a bad solution. The club has been great. Nobody wanted me to leave but they understood my decision.
“Anyway, I wasn’t 100% convinced that I was doing the right thing either. It was something great (time at Leeds) and I experienced it very much. I have friends in Leeds, and an apartment. We had everything sorted out with the family.
“Six years in one place, however, is a lot. I’m not used to moving and changing clubs. I cried a lot, especially when people wrote to me. The fans asked me not to leave.”
Klich also hinted at a possible return to Leeds, an idea he suggested to Elland Road chiefs. He added: “I have 195 games at Leeds and when my contract was terminated, I told our directors that I would be back for those five games. We’ll see how it all goes.”
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