Leeds United have officially announced the capture of Argentine international Facundo Buonanotte on a loan deal from Brighton & Hove Albion for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
The move, confirmed on Thursday, January 15, 2026, follows a complex "transfer triangle" involving Chelsea, where the 21-year-old’s initial season-long loan was terminated early to facilitate his move to Elland Road.
The "Stamford Bridge U-Turn"
Buonanotte spent the first half of the season at Chelsea, but his time in West London didn't go as planned:
Limited Minutes: He made just eight appearances across all competitions for the Blues, struggling to find a consistent spot under both Enzo Maresca and new head coach Liam Rosenior.
The Termination: Brighton and Chelsea mutually agreed to end the loan early this week after it became clear Buonanotte's development had stalled.
The Leeds Pursuit: Daniel Farke had reportedly been a long-term admirer of the playmaker, having narrowly missed out on his signature during the summer 2025 window.
Tactical Impact: Buonanotte is expected to challenge Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor for a starting role in Farke’s 3-5-2 system. His ability to operate as a classic No. 10 or cut in from the right flank provides much-needed versatility following the departure of Jack Harrison to Fiorentina earlier this month.
Daniel Farke’s Reaction
"We are delighted to bring Facundo to the club. He is a player with incredible natural flair and Premier League experience. We wanted him in the summer, and we are happy that the opportunity arose again. He will give us a different dimension in the final third."
The Verdict: This is a low-risk, high-reward move for Leeds. Buonanotte proved during his loan at Leicester City last season (6 goals, 3 assists) that he can thrive in a team fighting for position. If he can rediscover that form, he could be the difference-maker in keeping Leeds well away from the drop zone.