'Hopefully' - Wilfried Gnonto outlines Leeds United ambition in earnest reflection on his time at Elland Road
Wilfried Gnonto has spoken candidly about his time at Leeds United from the club’s USA training camp
Wilfried Gnonto is hoping for “many more” enjoyable moments as he prepares for his fifth season at Leeds United.
The 22-year-old has been on quite the journey since he arrived in West Yorkshire from FC Zurich in September 2022.
He impressed in his maiden Premier League campaign but could not save the Whites from relegation to the Championship. Relegation was followed by a transfer request from the Italian, who later backed down from his demand.
Gnonto has not strayed far from Daniel Farke’s plans in recent years, although has been unable to replicate the form shown in his debut season on a regular basis. He managed just four league starts last term and reports in May credited Freiburg with interest in signing him.
Wilfried Gnonto outlines Leeds United ambition
It has hardly been plain-saling for Gnonto in LS11, but the fleet-footed attacker has spoken glowingly of Leeds in an interview with CBS.
He said: “I think, obviously, being at Leeds is a privilege. I have been here for a long time and being in the Premier League as well is a big challenge, so I would say we just have to build on this.
“We did well last season but we want to get even better. Being a part of it is good for me and I try to enjoy every moment.
“It is such a family-oriented, I want to say, club in a way. Everyone makes you feel so comfortable. I came here, I was quite young as well, so everyone just took care of me, whether it was staff, whether it was players and obviously the fans as well.
“So, I would say I feel like I feel proper Leeds now. I just enjoy every single person here, enjoy every moment and hopefully there are going to be many more.”
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USA tour
Gnonto is currently out in the USA with Leeds and has featured in the first two friendlies of the club’s pre-season. Leeds fell to a 3-2 defeat to Wrexham in Florida before bouncing back with a 1-0 win over Sunderland in New Jersey.
He said: “It has been really good. It was my second time in the US, actually, so it is just nice to be changing the environment a little bit, training in different facilities. It has just been amazing.”
Leeds will round off their stateside tour by facing Liverpool in a friendly in Chicago tomorrow (August 2).