Illan Meslier will leave Leeds United when his contract expires on June 30th, the club announced on Wednesday. The 26-year-old French goalkeeper arrived at Elland Road in January 2020 from Lorient, quickly establishing himself as a promising talent in English football.
Meslier initially took time to adapt to his new surroundings, but subsequently became the first-choice goalkeeper for five seasons, including two campaigns under manager Marcelo Bielsa. His most successful season came in 2020-2021, where he played a key role in Leeds finishing ninth in the Premier League – their highest league finish in nearly two decades. During his time with the club, Meslier made a total of 215 appearances, including 107 in the Premier League.
However, the 2024-2025 season saw Meslier lose his place in the starting eleven. Veteran Welsh goalkeeper Karl Darlow took over between the posts, and the arrival of former Lyon player Lucas Perri further limited Meslier’s opportunities. He was restricted to a largely inactive role throughout the last campaign.
According to L’ÉQUIPE, this lack of playing time has prompted Meslier to seek a new challenge to reignite his career. Leeds finished 14th in the Premier League last season, and the goalkeeping situation has created an opportunity for Meslier to find a club where he can regain regular first-team football. The departure allows Leeds to potentially reshape their goalkeeping options ahead of the next season, while Meslier will be looking for a club where he can re-establish himself as a Premier League number one.
Meslier has also represented France at youth international level, earning 13 caps for the Under-21 side. His age and experience suggest he still has a considerable amount to offer a top-flight club.
