Player who left Leeds United for £7m under Marcelo Bielsa confirms he is now a free agent

The Argentine had never succeeded in England before and could not speak English. But Orta, Radrizzani, Angus Kinnear and Carlos Corberan flew to Argentina and struck a deal to hire the manager.

It culminated with Leeds finishing in the play-offs in his first season and then winning the Championship a season later. Bielsa became a Leeds legend for this, even more so as he guided Leeds to ninth in the top flight.

But after just one season, Bielsa had to say goodbye to Kemar Roofe, despite a 15-goal haul under the Argentine in Bielsa’s first season. Roofe moved to Anderlecht under Vincent Kompany for £7m.

Now, five years on from his Elland Road exit, 31-year-old Roofe has confirmed he is now a free agent with an Instagram post and here’s what he had to say below:

Kemar Roofe becomes a free agent five years after leaving Leeds

Versatile ace Roofe joined Leeds from Oxford United under Garry Monk for a fee of £3million in the summer of 2016 and went on to play 122 times for the Whites in all competitions, having a hand in 47 of goals.

But he has really come to life under Bielsa and following his move to Anderlecht three years after his arrival, Bielsa admitted he was “not happy” at the exit with his Leeds contract ending in 2020.

Roofe has since been at Scottish Rangers, but on Tuesday night the striker played his final game at Ibrox and took to Instagram after the game to confirm he will be leaving when his contract expires in June.

His caption read: “IBROX it was a pleasure… thanks for having me.”

How Roofe has fared since leaving Leeds to join Anderlecht

Roofe moved to Belgium largely because Leeds opted to cash in on the striker rather than lose him for free a year later. The injuries started and he only managed 16 outings, in which he scored seven goals.

Steven Gerrard took him to Rangers for around half the fee Leeds received for him in 2020 and in the last four years he has won the Premiership title and even reached the Europa League final.

On Tuesday night, he made his 102nd start, the injury limiting him again. He came on for the final 10 minutes of a 5-2 win over Dundee but could not add to his 38 goals for the Old Firm giants.

Now Roofe will be a free agent this summer and will need to find a new club, one that is willing to look past his injury record. It is not clear whether he will return to England or remain abroad.