Kalvin Phillips and Eddie Nketiah have reacted to Luke Ayling’s departure from Leeds United.
The 32-year-old joined Leeds United in 2016 and went on a journey that allowed him to write his name into the club’s legendary books.
Winning promotion back to the Premier League under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa was the highlight, with Luke Ayling being a key member of the defence and that team.
HITC Football were told that the experienced right-back was going to make a loan move to fellow Championship side Middlesbrough – and that move has since been confirmed.
The deal will last until the end of the campaign when his contract at Elland Road expires and he will become a free agent.
Given the journey Luke Ayling was on at Leeds, you can understand this being an emotional moment for the player.
That’s why he penned a pretty heart-warming letter to the club’s faithful on Instagram on Wednesday.
In the comments section of his IG post, he was lauded by many of his current and former teammates, including Manchester City’s Treble-winner Kalvin Phillips and Arsenal striker, Eddie Nketiah.
Luke Ayling leaves Leeds United
Phillips wrote: ‘Love you mate. What a guy you are’, whilst he also added on his Instagram story, ‘Not many like this man. Good luck, Luke Ayling. Love you, mate’.
Eddie Nketiah, who spent a brief loan spell at Leeds, simply told Ayling that he is a ‘legend’.
Luke Ayling – A cult hero
The game loves a character, and one thing is for sure, Ayling was just that, both on the field and in the dressing room.
You can tell by the reaction of his former teammates what type of person he was away from the pitch because he is getting lots of love.
That character helped a player, who was once on the books of Arsenal in the Premier League, had to drop right down the divisions, then picked himself back up and returned to the Premier League.
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