Facundo Buonanotte: How Brighton starlet has gone from phenom to flop in one year as dismal loans dissected
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Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media Sat 9 May 2026 14:15, UK Facundo Buonanotte has not featured in a Leeds United shirt since February, making just three appearances since he arrived on loan from Brighton. The 21-year-old had spent the first half of the season on loan at Chelsea, but was finally recalled in January after making just eight appearances in four months.Last season, Buonanotte provided excitement on loan at Leicester City, representing one of the only bright spots in a terrible campaign for the eventually-relegated Foxes.And the season before had been good for the Argentine, too, who had made his breakthrough for the Seagulls at just the age of 18 and was rewarded with his first senior caps for his nation.Leeds transfer chiefs expected the same talent to arrive at Elland Road, but, five months on, have been left wondering what happened. 🔄 Leeds United Transfer Update 🔄 Breaking news on latest signings, departures, and contract news from the Elland Road boardroom.
VISIT THE LEEDS TRANSFER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Two terrible loans for Facundo Buonanotte Leeds were close to signing Buonanotte before he signed for Chelsea, in what was a bizarre piece of business for the Conference League winners. Facundo BuonanotteStats – Premier League 2024-25Appearances31Goals5Assists 2Chances created25Tackles53Duels won134Ultimately, the 21-year-old was pursued by the Blues as a temporary back-up option, and the deal should have been declined in favour of a move to Leeds.Even stranger was the fact that Chelsea’s deal for Buonanotte involved no option or obligation to buy, making it a flat loan deal.
Such a move certainly benefited the Blues, who got a capable player to add to their squad for around £2million, but Brighton must have been aware of the possibility that their young player would spend much of his time sitting on the bench and not developing.✍️ #LUFC is delighted to announce the arrival of Facundo Buonanotte on a loan deal until the end of the 2025/26 campaign— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 15, 2026 View Tweet When Buonanotte eventually got to Leeds, he played just 70 minutes of football and has not been seen since. Had he arrived at Elland Road full of confidence last summer, it may well have been a different story.Buonanotte faces key career decisionBuonanotte remains under contract at Brighton until 2028, and his next move is a crucial one for the future of his career.