Who is Leeds United defender Junior Firpo? Versatile former Barcelona man profiled

Leeds United have announced the capture of Barcelona defender Junior Firpo on a four-year deal - but who is he and what can we expect?
Leeds United defender Junior Firpo. Pic: LUFCLeeds United defender Junior Firpo. Pic: LUFC
Leeds United defender Junior Firpo. Pic: LUFC

You can read the full details of the transfer here and check out our profile below:

Name: Junior Firpo

Age: 24

Position: Left-back

Nationality: Dominican Republic/Spain (dual citizenship)

Previous clubs: Real Betis B, Real Betis, Barcelona

Who is Junior Firpo?

New Leeds United defender Junior Firpo is a versatile left-back who currently plays for La Liga giants Barcelona.

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The 24-year-old's professional career began when he joined Real Betis at the age of 18 in 2015 from CD Puerto Malagueño.

He initially linked up with the club's B-side before being promoted to the first team in the summer of 2017.

After penning a new contract, he played a squad role before being handed his La Liga debut in the following February - becoming the first Domincan Republic-born player to feature in Spain's top flight.

He scored his first professional goal a month later against Espanyol.

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Following an impressive and swift rise, Barcelona landed his signature on a five-year deal worth $18m plus $12m in add-ons to take him to the Nou Camp in 2019.

He did, though, struggle to break into the senior side on a permanent basis with Jordi Alba currently holding a starting place for the Catalan club.

Dutch boss Ronald Koeman only handed him minutes in 18 games last term and the full-back was close to sealing a loan move to AC Milan in January.

Barcelona's financial issues mean they have now opted to cash in on his playing rights this summer.

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Junior, as he is known, holds dual citizenship for the Domincan Republic - where he lived until he was six - and Spain.

He has represented Spain's youth teams at Under-21s level previously.

What's he like as a player?

Junior Firpo is a left-back by trade but has a versatile skill set which has seen him deployed at right-back, centre-back and in midfield previously.

Similarly to Gjanni Alioski - who has now departed Elland Road on a free - his attacking ability is a big factor in his play, having scored seven times and recorded nine assists in his 62 top flight games during his career.

What's been said?

Former youth coach - Juan Jose Romero (July, 2019)

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"He is the footballer who most impressed me in his first training session," Romero said to Goal.

"He looked like a beast of a footballer from the very first moment. He has the formidable maturity and personality which give him the chance to go far, he has a bullet-proof character, he is a defender of great quality and has confidence in himself.

"That confidence can be a problem sometimes because he believes in himself a lot but it is a trait which could be positive if he handles it correctly. Sometimes he looks cocky and that leads him to make very visible mistakes.

"But he could end up having a career similar to that of Sergio Ramos. He also came to Real Madrid and the national team as a full-back, to end up in the middle of defence and, even though Junior doesn't have the defensive power of Ramos as a centre-back, neither did Ramos have the attacking threat Junior is showing."

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