Relegation to the Championship saw Leeds United forced to wave goodbye to many key players, but one departure slipped under the radar among Elland Road supporters.
That summer, eight left using Victor Orta’s relegation loan clause while the club also cashed in on Tyler Adams and Rodrigo. Luis Sinisterra, Jack Harrison, Brenden Aaronson and more left Leeds temporarily.
Since then, four of the eight have left permanently in Sinisterra, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Marc Roca. But a few months prior to relegation in March 2023, Leeds confirmed the sale of an attacking star.
Mateusz Bogusz has starred in the MLS with Los Angeles FC
Bogusz endured a difficult Leeds spell. Signed as a teenager from Polish side Ruch Churzow as one of Orta’s many unknown talents from foreign clubs, he managed just three senior Leeds United outings.
A loan to Logrones and then two to second-tier Spanish side Ibiza followed, either side of an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Bogusz’s high potential looked as if it was going to waste at Elland Road.
He chose to start afresh at MLS side LAFC, where he has since sparkled. Bogusz’s first season saw him have a hand in 12 goals in 42 games, but this season the new Poland international has really sparkled.
An LAFC side that also includes Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud finished top of the Western Conference, entering the MLS play-offs. Bogusz has played a key role, as LAFC saw off Vancouver in the quarter-finals.
In a bizarre system, clubs faced a best-of-three clash to qualify for the Eastern and Western Conference semi-finals. After Vancouver and LAFC has one win apiece, Bogusz scored the only goal in the third game.
Mateusz Bogusz reaches enormous 30 goals and assists for LAFC
It was a 30th goal involvement for Bogusz, sending LAFC through to the Western Conference semi-finals where they take on Seattle Sounders on Sunday. A 20th goal, having also laid on 10 assists for Bogusz.
Bogusz’s form is not going unnoticed. Celtic have shown interest in an £8m move for Bogusz, while the versatile attacker has also earned two Poland caps over the last few months. More interest is likely.
Bogusz and LAFC will now be preparing for Sunday’s one-game shootout to book their place in the Western Conference final. The winner of that will take on the Eastern Conference final for the MLS Cup.
