Willy Gnonto's first words since Leeds United exit amid 'want to show' admission
The Italian left Leeds United for Fiorentina on loan on deadline day.
Leeds United loan exit Willy Gnonto is keen to show new club Fiorentina what he can do after a year on the first-team fringes.
The 22-year-old’s departure from Leeds was confirmed on deadline day as he joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan. The Serie A outfit have an option to make the deal permanent with a total package price of €21million across loan fee, permanent transfer and add-ons.
Gnonto started four Premier League games for Leeds last season with a total of 23 top-flight appearances averaging just over 23 minutes per showing. The Italian is now back on home soil and keen to make an impact at a club who has so far lost two from two in the league.
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“I’m delighted to be here,” Gnonto told Fiorentina’s website after signing. “It’s an honour for me to join Fiorentina. I couldn't wait to get started.
“I’m raring to go. I really wanted to come here and I’m happy. Now comes the best part. I know what I have to give. I know what my strengths are and I want to put them at the service of the team, the coach and everyone here.”
A move to Fiorentina will represent Gnonto’s first foray into senior football back home. The winger spent time at Inter Milan as a youngster but got his break at FC Zurich in Switzerland before joining Leeds in 2022.
The out-on-loan Leeds man has 13 caps for Italy but has not featured for his country since 2023, an absence not helped by his struggles to nail down a place at Elland Road. The hope is that regular football in Florence can reignite his international career.
“I’ve come back but this is my first experience in Serie A at senior level,” he added. “To be able to do that at a club like Fiorentina is a source of pride for me. I can’t wait to get out there and get to know all my team-mates.
“Yes, I'm young but I've had lots of different experiences which have helped me to grow and improve. Now I want to show what I can do in Italy.”