Leeds United last night confirmed the exit of long-serving midfielder Mateusz Klich following the Whites' 2-2 Premier League draw against West Ham United.
Making one final impact on home soil, the Polish international entered proceedings as a 63rd minute-substitute and helped Jesse March's side come from behind to earn an invaluable point against the Hammers.
Upon the final whistle, Klich's teammates presented him with a guard of honour as members of Leeds' playing and coaching staff wore t-shirts to honour the 32-year-old. Before leaving the Elland Road pitch for one last time, he appeared to be in tears while paying an emotional goodbye to fans.
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Klich's contract was officially terminated immediately after the game in anticipation of his imminent transfer to MLS team DC United. A club statement read: "Everyone at Leeds United would like to thank Mateusz for his efforts during his time at the club, his contribution is truly unforgettable."
Despite being frozen out by Thomas Christensen and sent on loan during the early stages of his Leeds career, that aforementioned contribution, mostly under Marcelo Bielsa, made Klich a fan favourite in Yorkshire as a long-awaited return to the Premier League was completed.
Reflecting upon his career now an exit is official, below are the Leeds numbers behind a modern-day United favourite.
£1.5 million - The reported fee that Leeds paid to sign Klich on a three-year contract from Dutch outfit FC Twente in 2017.
Upon confirmation of the deal, he claimed: "I am very happy to have signed for such a huge club and I'm looking forward to playing in the famous white shirt.
"I am excited to come to England and test myself in the Championship. I can't wait to get going. "The team came close to promotion last season so hopefully we can go one better. I'm looking forward to meeting my new teammates next week and getting started."
43 - Is the squad number that Klich was handed after signing for Leeds. It would become a distinct partnership as he opted to retain it throughout his spell with the club.
1 - The amount of matches that Klich started for the Whites in his debut campaign at Elland Road before being loaned out to FC Utrecht in January. He has previously highlighted the moment that led to his exodus under Christiansen.
"When I started to play fairly regularly, there was an unfortunate match against Cardiff," Klich explained. I badly picked boots and during one of the actions I slipped on the pitch, I lost the ball and the opponents went with the counter that brought them a goal.
"Officially, the manager Thomas Christiansen did not say anything to me, but then he stopped practically speaking to me and did not call me into the team for the next matches. I could have guessed that it was about this situation."
2018 - The decisive year in Klich's time with Leeds as Marcelo Bielsa arrived at Elland Road and mounted a club rejuvenation.
Scoring in Bielsa's debut match against Stoke, Klich began the 2018/2019 season in superb form and netted three goals in just five outings.
He has previously told FourFourTwo that the 67-year-old is to credit for his achievements at Leeds. He explained: “I told him [Bielsa] after we’d secured promotion in 2020 that he saved my career.
“I don’t know where I’d be if it weren't for him. I couldn’t get a break in the Bundesliga, even tried my luck in the German second division and generally couldn’t find my home until I came to Leeds.
“Bielsa created a new version of me as a player. I’ve listened to everything he’s said, and it’s paid off.”
15 - Is the amount of years that Leeds spent away from the top-flight following relegation in 2004.
Klich made 45 appearances, scoring six goals, as he played a major part in helping Leeds comfortably win promotion and the Championship title in 2020.
In an impressive debut Premier League campaign, Klich would then register nine direct goal contributions across 35 appearances. Leeds. admirably, finished ninth under Bielsa on their return.
He would, however, struggle to replicate such form in future campaigns amid injury problems and managerial changes.
195 - Is the number of appearances Klich made for Leeds across all competitions before departing, whilst he also scored 24 goals and registered 21 assists in that time.
An established fan-favourite, the appreciation was evidently mutual as seen in his open letter to supporters that was released last night.
It partly reads: "The supporters of this club are unlike anyone else, which is perfect for me. I feel that you understand me as a player and as a person, and I understand you and represent you on the pitch too. I think this is the meaning of 'Klichousery'.
"It is always special for me and my family to hear you chant '20 yards or 30 yards' and these are the moments I will never forget. From me and my family, thank you Leeds fans."
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