Mateusz Klich is unlikely to ever play for Leeds United again after sealing a loan move to Dutch Eredivisie club FC Utrecht, according to a reliable journalist.
Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay claimed on his personal Twitter account that there is a “good chance” the midfield anchorman, 27, has played his last game for the club despite having a contract that runs until the summer of 2020.
a good chance that we've seen the last of Klich at Leeds. Still contracted until 2020 but unlikely to force his way back in here.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) January 22, 2018
? | Leeds United can confirm that midfielder Mateusz Klich has joined Eredivisie side FC Utrecht on a six month loan deal
Read more ?? https://t.co/Jvm4EYEfPu pic.twitter.com/L2fpaUTjDx
— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 22, 2018
The club confirmed the Poland international’s temporary departure via their official Twitter account and website on Monday afternoon following speculation that he would be allowed to leave in the January window.
The capture of Adam Forshaw from Middlesbrough for £4.5million last week has pushed Klich further down the central midfield pecking order and prompted his temporary departure.
OPINION
Much was expected of Klich when he arrived last summer but he has had very limited opportunity to make an impact at Elland. A player of genuine pedigree, he is a 10-times Poland international and was a mainstay of an FC Twente side that finished in the top half of the Dutch Eredivisie last season. But despite fairly average campaigns from Eunan O’Kane, Kalvin Phillips and Ronaldo Vieira, Klich has barely been trusted in Championship encounters even though manager Thomas Christiansen has made it clear he regards him as one of those competing for the midfield enforcer roles. A loan move surely paves the way for a permanent exit in the summer.