It is a year since Leeds United cut Giuseppe Bellusci.
On this day: On 18 July 2017, Leeds United finally terminated the contract of Giuseppe Bellusci.
In a statement on the club’s website, Leeds wrote: “Leeds United can confirm that Giuseppe Bellusci’s contract has been terminated by mutual consent. We wish Giuseppe well for his future.”
Why was he released?
It was remarkable that Bellusci was still a Leeds player in 2017, and even turned out for the club in a pre-season game under Thomas Christiansen.
Bellusci had fallen out with supporters with a series of social media postings, and was involved in exchanges with fans in the pre-season game against Guiseley in which he was booed.
He was signed in 2014 by former boss Dave Hockaday and after a mixed first season, he later lost the trust of the fans due to a series of errors including an own goal against Middlesbrough.
Keeping him at Leeds would have been an unwelcome distraction and the Whites were right to cut him loose.
How has he got on since?
Bellusci signed with Italian Serie B side Palermo, having spent the previous season on loan with Empoli, who were relegated from Serie A.
He was sent off in just his fourth game for Palermo, and he had an injury hit campaign, making only 23 of a possible 42 appearances.
Palermo finished fourth in the division but did not win promotion.
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