Junior Firpo: Leeds United’s Lively Left-Back
I was excited when we brought him in – and from Barcelona as well. For me, it was an example of how we could appeal to players at top clubs and to be fair, at the time, he was quite highly rated having been a product of their youth academy.
Under Marcelo Bielsa, it took him a while to adjust to Premier League football and what the manager wanted and I started to wonder what all of the fuss was about from those who raved about him.
I thought he was definitely to blame for quite a lot of goals that we shipped while we were in the Premier League though in the Championship he looked a different player within the space of just a few months. Like Bogle on the other side, the best in his position in the league and has become a firm favourite with the fans.
🎶 His name is Junior, Junior Firpo! 🎶 pic.twitter.com/CO6e9h2Tfv
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 21, 2025
One thing I thought he always had going for him was his pace – which can punish clubs in the Championship, though I thought he quickly showed to be head and shoulders above the rest when it came to delivery, defensive ability and positional sense.
A Left-Back With Great Versatility
He’s also a bit of a secret weapon – he plays up top for the Dominican Republic, becoming one of their main scorers, so to have someone like that in the side has done wonders for us I think.
| 2024/25 Championship Statistic | Value | Per 90 Minutes / Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 32 | — |
| Minutes Played | 2622 | — |
| Goals Conceded | 16 | 0.55 per 90 min |
| Clean Sheets | 17 | 53% of matches |
| Tackles | 60 | 2.08 per 90 min |
| Interceptions | 34 | 1.18 per 90 min |
| Ground Duels | 316 | 10.96 per 90 min |
| Ground Duels Won | 171 | 5.93 per 90 min |
| Aerial Duels Won | 59 | 2.05 per 90 min |
| Clearances | 89 | 3.09 per 90 min |
| Dribbled Past | 23 | 0.80 per 90 min |
| Shots Blocked | 7 | 0.24 per 90 min |
| Penalties Given Away | 0 | 0.00 per 90 min |
| Goals Scored | 4 | — |
| Assists (estimated) | 4 | — |
One noticeable trait of modern day full backs is their need to be versatile and it seems to me that this is exactly what the best are. While I don’t think Firpo really fits the mold of an inverted full back, I definitely think he can play further forward as an out-and-out winger and, I think he did on occasion for us.
When Ezgian Alioski left, I like many of you were probably a bit upset and Firpo coming in looked to be a positive move. Sure, it took him a while to settle, but he’s definitely probably been the best in that position since Gianni. Leaving us on a high at the end of the 2024/25 season to go to Real Betis, he is remembered at Elland Road.