Leeds United have breathed new life into their season with the arrival of Daniel Farke, who brings a fresh wave of optimism amid the challenges faced. Lucas Perri, the new Brazilian goalkeeper, showcased his new teammates’ resilience as they edged past Paderborn 3-2 on Saturday, just hours after securing a four-year contract. The signing, which Daniel Farke highlighted as a significant move for the squad, cost €16 million with an additional €2 million in potential add-ons.
“We’re all quite happy to have Lucas on board,” Daniel Farke remarked. “I’ve mentioned that we are looking to enhance the squad in all positions, except for central defence and central midfield, and this is where we found our player in Lucas. We’re overjoyed that the deal is finalized and eager for him to begin working with us shortly.”
Leeds currently has four senior goalkeepers on its squad after adding Perri. Alex Cairns, Karl Darlow, who assumed the starting position, and Illan Meslier, a crucial player who was replaced near the end of the previous campaign, are all in Farke’s starting lineup. Of the four, Meslier’s future appears the most uncertain. While Daniel Farke has been clear about Patrick Bamford’s impending exit from Elland Road, he hasn’t hinted similarly about Meslier’s status. Though there have been suggestions that Perri may take up the starting position, Daniel Farke has not committed to the idea that all four goalkeepers will remain in the squad when the Premier League season kicks off.
“All four of them are under contract,” he explained. “It’s definitely better to have too many goalkeepers than not enough, but we’ll have to see how it unfolds. For me, it was important to bring in Lucas because he’s a goalkeeper of a good age. He’s still young but has gained valuable experience. It’s crucial that he arrives with confidence, having had a strong season with Lyon and qualifying for the Europa League. He brings momentum and a wealth of praise from last season, which is exactly what we needed after the difficult situations we faced at the end of last season regarding our goalkeeper position.”
Regarding his current options, Farke expressed contentment. “I’m really pleased to have Illan. To have over 100 Premier League games and more than 100 in the Championship at his age is quite impressive and says a lot about his potential and quality. With Karl Darlow, we’ve got a seasoned player who has performed well under pressure at the end of last season. I’m also pleased with Alex Cairns; he’s a fantastic character. I’m happy with my goalkeeping squad at the moment, including some young talents, one of whom is with us here in Germany, Rory Mahady. So, I can’t complain about this position. I’m satisfied.”
