Leeds United new-boy Facundo Buonanotte on lure of Elland Road and his World Cup dream
Facundo Buonanotte says his first visit to Elland Road played a part in finally getting him into the white shirt of Leeds United.
After completing a loan move until the end of the season the 21-year-old Argentina international is hoping his new club can put him on the plane to this summer's World Cup.
Buonanotte was a target when manager Daniel Farke tried to add a playmaker to his squad in the summer, but opted instead to join Chelsea on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
That, though, has not gone as planned and after only one Premier League appearance for the club world champions – although he did play three Champions League games – he pushed for the deal to be cancelled so he could join Leeds.
Brighton have been very active in the South American market in recent years, and brought Buonanotte to England from Rosario Central as an 18-year-old.
He was an unused substitute for the Seagulls in a 2-2 draw at Elland Road in March 2023, and it appears to have made a big impression on him.
"I really wanted to come to Leeds instead of anywhere else," he told LUTV. "The time was right for me to come here to Leeds.
"I played with Brighton a few seasons ago and I said to my family, to my team-mates, Leeds is one of the best teams in the Premier League for sure.
“First, I want to help Leeds. I need to do a good job here. And then, of course, if I have a chance to go to the World Cup, obviously I want to go."
Buonanotte has played twice for his country, in friendlies in 2023 and 2024, and was twice an unused substitute at the start of the holders’ World Cup qualifying campaign.
He spent last season on loan at Leicester City, scoring five Premier League goals.
Farke made no secret of his frustration at failing to land a playmaker in the summer transfer market and even though the team’s set-up has shifted since then, he still sees a place for a quality player of that type.
When Leeds play a 4-3-3, as they almost always did until late November, Buonanotte's role will be to drift behind the centre-forward from out wide. He can start more centrally in the 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-2-1 formations Farke has often turned to since the side's December upturn in form.
In recent weeks Farke has been using the more industrious, less flamboyant Brenden Aaronson and/or Noah Okafor – an orthodox winger – in the inside-forward positions.
“I like to play on the line, score goals and play assists,” said Buonanotte. “I like to be between the lines and score.
“I want to show the fans my quality and how I can help the team stay in the Premier League. I am ready to play and I hope Saturday (when Fulham visit in the Premier League) we can win.”
Speaking ahead of the transfer being confirmed, Farke said: "There is no need to be afraid of quality players. Every player who has top quality and a top character who could help us is important.
"But if you find a specialist in such a position who brings something that we don't have to the squad, it's definitely beneficial."
The signing could see the departure of Jack Harrison, with Fiorentina interested in loaning the winger.