Back in July, Leeds allowed Elia Caprile to leave Elland Road for S.S.C. Bari on a permanent basis.
The 21-year-old had spent two years in Yorkshire following a move from Chievo Verona in 2020, although he failed to make a single first-team appearance during his time at Leeds.
Now, Caprile has started to find his feet in Italy, following an uneventful loan spell at Pro Patria last season.
What’s the story?
Well, the Italian glovesman has found a new lease of life since returning to the country of his birth.
Caprile recently kept his first clean sheet of the Serie B campaign in a 1-0 win over Cosenza, and there has also been talk of a call-up to the Italy Under-21 side as a result of his fine performances.
Speaking to La Bari Calcio about his upturn in form, the Verona-born shot-stopper said: “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, but as always it is a team result not only mine. Seeing the strikers despair after your save is very nice, it’s the pleasure of being a goalkeeper.”
Clearly, Caprile has embraced a permanent return to Italy, after seemingly struggling to adapt to life in England.
Sometimes, it just doesn’t work out between a player and a club, which is what happened to the Italian in Yorkshire, but it’s great to see his fortunes change since moving to S.S.C. Bari.
Elia Caprile had it tough at Leeds
In our view, Caprile probably should’ve left Leeds sooner.
Illan Meslier is one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe, and it was always unlikely that Caprile would’ve been able to oust the Frenchman from his No.1 spot at Elland Road.
Having said that, his time in England surely benefitted him in a footballing sense, while also making him a stronger individual from a mental sense.
After all, it isn’t easy for a youngster to leave his homeland for a new country at such a young age, especially when they also find themselves out of the starting XI for the entirety of their stay.
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