Leeds Confirm Departure of Unpopular Defender Bellusci After Contract Mutually Terminated
Leeds United have confirmed the departure of Giuseppe Bellusci after the club and player agreed to mutually terminate his contract.
The Whites revealed that they had severed ties with the 27-year-old defender on their website, with Bellusci's deal at Elland Road still having 12 months left to run on it.
Bellusci's departure from Yorkshire bring an end to a turbulent three-year spell with Leeds - a career which ended after the centre-back became embroiled in a spat with the club's fanbase during a pre-season friendly win over Guiseley last Saturday.
A brief statement on the club's site read: "Leeds United can confirm that Giuseppe Bellusci's contract has been terminated by mutual consent. We wish Giuseppe well for his future."
Leeds fans turned on Bellusci during the 5-1 drubbing Guiseley on 8th July, with swathes of the 3,000-strong crowd booing the Italy Under-21 international.
That move drew a furious reaction from the apparently unpopular defender, with Bellusci gesturing back at Leeds' supporters - a ploy that only further incensed the baying mob on the stands.
FLORENCE, ITALY - APRIL 15: Giuseppe Bellusci of Empoli FC celebrates the victory after during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Empoli FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 15, 2017 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Gabriele Maltinti/GettyImages
Bellusci sarcastically took to social media in the wake of the contest to claim that he was fortunate to have "children" setting a glowing example of how he should act.
The incident proved to be the last straw for the sleeping giants, who chose to inform Bellusci that he had no future at the club last week and would only be allowed to train with them until a deal was reached over tearing his contract up.
The sorry saga is the final footnote in Bellusci's troubled career with Leeds, with the former Cagliari man falling out of favour at the club back in April 2016.
Back then Bellusci was dropped by former boss Steve Evans for disciplinary reasons and was told he would not feature again under the 54-year-old before the latter's own departure.
Bellusci was shipped out on a season-long loan to Serie A side Empoli last season following the appointment of Garry Monk in June.
In total, Bellusci featured 61 times for Leeds during his time with the Championship side. Greek outfit Panathinaikos, as well as Cagliari and Bologna in his homeland, remain interested in signing him.
