Leeds United have left two spaces vacant in their Premier League squad after submitting a list of 23 players for the new campaign, but it is one notable omission that is likely to attract the most attention from supporters.
Daniel Farke’s squad has undergone another significant transformation over the summer despite Paraag Marathe previously insisting that the club did not require another major overhaul following their return to the Premier League.
Several players have departed, while Leeds have invested heavily in strengthening the group, bringing in the likes of James Trafford, Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic, Nico Elvedi, Melvin Bard and Jean-Matteo Bahoya.
The club have also had to deal with some unexpected departures, including Karl Darlow’s decision to leave for Manchester United after rejecting a new contract.
But while the majority of the transfer business has now been completed, one former Leeds striker has found himself completely outside Farke’s Premier League plans.
And the timing of the omission is particularly intriguing given what the player has said publicly about his new surroundings.
Leeds have submitted 23 players to the Premier League, leaving two spaces available from the maximum 25-man allowance. Players aged 21 or under are not required to occupy one of those senior squad places, which means deadline-day arrival Bahoya does not need to be included among the 25.
The same principle applies to Leeds youngsters Jayden Lienou, Alfie Cresswell and Callum Mills, despite all three having been handed senior squad numbers.
The Whites therefore have room to add further players if required, but the current list gives a clear indication of the senior group Farke intends to work with.
Among those included is Melvin Bard, who arrived from Nice on loan and has been handed the number 26 shirt.
Bahoya, meanwhile, has taken number 23 and is available for selection despite not counting towards the 25-man limit.
There is also Mateo Joseph, who remains on the books despite currently recovering from a serious knee injury. His situation means Leeds effectively have another forward unavailable for the foreseeable future.
But there is one familiar name conspicuous by his absence.
Joel Piroe has not been included in Leeds United’s submitted Premier League squad.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 1: Joel Piroe of West Ham United during the Sky Bet Championship 2026/27 match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on September 1, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
The omission itself is hardly a surprise given that Piroe had already completed a season-long loan move to West Ham, with the deal containing an obligation to become permanent if the Hammers secure promotion. Leeds officially confirmed the move on August 19.
However, the decision has taken on a much more interesting complexion following the striker’s latest comments about life in London and his reasons for choosing West Ham.
Piroe has made it clear that regular football was a major motivation behind his departure from Elland Road.
The 27-year-old had gradually fallen down the pecking order at Leeds and was never able to establish himself as Farke’s first-choice striker in the Premier League.
Now, from his new surroundings, the forward has offered a brutally honest comparison between Leeds and his new home.
“London is obviously a much nicer city than Leeds. And West Ham has a team worthy of the Premier League”, Piroe was quoted as saying by ESPN Netherlands.
“Just look at the stadium… Sold out, 60,000 fans – that’s not exactly the norm in the Championship. Especially in London, where West Ham United isn’t the biggest or most popular club.”
Those words are unlikely to have been music to the ears of anyone around Elland Road.
Piroe has effectively made it clear that he is enjoying his new environment, while his footballing explanation for the move is equally revealing.
Rather than remaining at Leeds and competing for limited opportunities, he wanted to join a club where he could play regularly and rediscover the form that made him one of the Championship’s most reliable goalscorers.
“I feel like the Championship gave me the best opportunities to play a lot of matches”, he added.
“When you play a lot, you can showcase your qualities. That’s the main reason I chose a Championship team. You can play plenty of games and quickly find your rhythm. My goal is to score 20 goals.”
There is a significant difference between Piroe saying he will never return to Leeds and the comments he has actually made.
He has not publicly stated that he is “completely done” with the club, nor is there evidence of a secret phone call with Farke in which he demanded that he never wear the Leeds shirt again.
But his comments do make his current position remarkably clear.
His priority is playing football.
And if he achieves his objective at West Ham, there may be little reason for either party to revisit the past.
Piroe was a prolific Championship striker during his time at Leeds, scoring 19 goals as the Whites won promotion back to the Premier League and claimed the Championship Golden Boot. Across his first two seasons at the club, he made 101 appearances and scored 35 goals in all competitions.
The Premier League proved considerably more difficult.
Piroe struggled to reproduce that goalscoring impact at the highest level and gradually slipped behind other options in Farke’s plans.
That ultimately contributed to the decision to send him to West Ham.
And now, with Leeds having submitted their Premier League squad without him, the separation between Piroe and his former club looks even more definitive.
The forward has already made his choice.
He wants regular football.
He wants to score 20 goals.
He wants to help West Ham return to the Premier League.
And judging by his comments, he appears to be thoroughly enjoying life away from West Yorkshire.
If he delivers on those ambitions and the Hammers secure promotion, Piroe could find himself permanently settled in London.
For Leeds supporters, meanwhile, his omission is simply another indication that Farke has moved on.
The door at Elland Road may not have been publicly slammed shut by Piroe himself, but after his explosive interview and his move to West Ham, it certainly looks a lot further away from being reopened.
