Darko Gyabi, a central midfielder, has joined Plymouth Argyle on loan from Leeds United for the second time, following a term cut short by injury last season.
Before agreeing to Darko Gyabi’s loan move to Plymouth Argyle, Leeds United turned down an offer from the Championship club for a permanent deal. Gyabi returned to Home Park last week, and Pilgrims manager Wayne Rooney said the former Manchester City kid “fits the style of play” he intends to employ in the 2024/25 season.
The 20-year-old joined the Pilgrims in January after struggling to break into Daniel Farke’s first-team plans. Gyabi made nine starts and one substitute appearance before leaving Devon due to a groin ailment.
United were not interested in selling Gyabi, who joined the club for a reputed £5 million in 2022, on a permanent basis. Gyabi has two years left on his contract with the Whites.
Argyle director of football Neil Dewsnip told our sister publication Plymouth Live: “One of our methods of success over the last few years has been having players on loan, and then being able to go back and buy them in some cases.”
“Darko was not available for purchase. Leeds did not promote that discussion. We had a little nibble at it, but it wasn’t on their plan, so getting him back on loan was the next best thing we could do, and that’s what we accomplished.
“We all thought he contributed significantly last year, so the fact that he was injured at the end of the season was really unfortunate for myself and Nance (first team coach Kevin Nancekivell) to be unable to choose him. So to have him back is fantastic; I’m looking forward to seeing him play.”
Regarding the likelihood of Gyabi’s loan being terminated by United in January, Dewsnip stated: “The best we can do, which we have done, is to draft the agreement with an exceedingly limited period in which Leeds United can request him back.
“Leeds United are quite fine with that. I don’t want to mislead the fans, but I’d be quite astonished if they remembered him.”
United did not want to sell Gyabi, who joined the club for a reported £5 million in 2022, on a permanent basis. Gyabi has two years remaining on his contract with the Whites.
Argyle director of football Neil Dewsnip told our sister publication Plymouth Live: “One of our methods of success over the last few years has been having players on loan, and then being able to go back and buy them in some cases.”
“Darko was unavailable for purchasing. Leeds did not encourage that discussion. We had a shot at it, but it wasn’t in their plans, so getting him back on loan was the next best thing we could do, and that’s what we did.
“We all thought he contributed significantly last year, so the fact that he was injured at the end of the season was really unfortunate for myself and Nance (first team coach Kevin Nancekivell) to be unable to choose him. So to have him back is fantastic; I’m looking forward to seeing him play.”
Regarding the likelihood of Gyabi’s loan being terminated by United in January, Dewsnip stated: “The best we can do, which we have done, is to draft the agreement with an exceedingly limited period in which Leeds United can request him back.
“Leeds United are quite fine with that. I don’t want to mislead the fans, but I’d be quite astonished if they remembered him.”
