Weston McKennie admits loan spell at Leeds United was ‘career low point’

Weston McKennie is just two seasons removed from one of the toughest moments of his club career, and the American midfielder spoke about that ahead of his Copa America assignment with the US men’s national team.

McKennie earned his first taste of the English Premier League with Leeds United, joining Jesse Marsch’s side on loan in January 2023. Joining USMNT teammates Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson, McKennie was expected to make a big splash at Elland Road, however, proved to be anything but.

The Lilywhites were eventually relegated back to the English Football League Championship, a place they remain heading into the 2024-25 season. McKennie, Marsch and Adams have moved on from their time in Yorkshire, while Aaronson remains the only American left with the club.

Despite having the experience of a lifetime with one of England’s most historic clubs, McKennie acknowledged the eventual frustration he endured at Leeds.

“My time at Leeds was probably one of my lowest points, if not the lowest point in my professional career,” McKennie said in an interview with The Athletic. “I always look at the positive because I was at Juventus, playing week in week out and maybe I developed a bit of comfort or complacency, knowing I was going to play at the weekend.

“Going to Leeds and having the performance we’ve had there and the way it’s just turned out overall, four managers in five months, it’s just not going to plan or how I imagined it. When I went there, my head was more like, ‘OK, I want to go here, do really well, put up numbers, help the team stay up and then hopefully another Premier League team, top five, to come and see how well I am. “I played and then they bought me.”

McKennie’s option to buy was not taken up by Leeds United and ultimately ended up being the best decision for both parties. The Texas native had the best year of his career with Juventus last season, registering 10 assists in 38 combined appearances, lifting the Coppa Italia and helping the Old Lady to a top-four finish in Serie A.

McKennie is now heading for international duty with both Aston Villa and Tottenham eyeing him for a summer transfer away from Turin, knowing he remains in the final year of his contract with Juventus.

Leeds finished in the top six of the EFL Championship under Daniel Farke but lost to Southampton 1–0 in the promotion play-off final at Wembley Stadium. They remain languishing in the second tier, wondering when they will return to the bright lights of the Premier League.

While the past moments have been painful in McKennie’s career, the American will certainly feel on a much better note heading into a busy summer schedule.