After seven-and-a-half seasons, one promotion, one relegation and a few truly incredible goals, Ayling’s time at Elland Road is up.
The full-back has left Leeds to join Middlesbrough on loan, and when his contract is up at the end of the season, he’ll be departing on a permanent basis.
Ayling has received the fondest of farewells at Leeds, and the club have now posted a number of tributes from their players on the club’s YouTube channel.
One player who played tribute to Ayling was Stuart Dallas, and, understandably, after spending so many years with Ayling, he’s gutted to see his teammate leavin
Dallas paid tribute to the defender.
“Here we are, we knew this day was coming for a while but that doesn’t make it any easier. I just want to say what a pleasure it’s been to play with you for all of these years, we’ve been through it all together, there’s nobody I’d rather be beside going onto the pitch, you’ve been a leader and a real legend on and off the pitch, we’re sad that you’ve left, but I look back on our time with happiness and we’ve been though some amazing times together. It’s just sad that it’s come to an end but that’s football, I don’t want to say much more because I’ll get emotional but you’re a legend and I love you,” Dallas said.
End of an era
We can absolutely understand why Dallas is cut up about this, because this signals the end of an era.
Leeds United are a club that cherish their heroes, and Ayling certainly fits into that category.
His goal against Huddersfield will live long in the memory, as will his late winner against Wolves.
Ayling’s vast improvement symbolised what Leeds were all about during the Marcelo Bielsa era, and he will undoubtedly go down as a club legend.
Dallas won’t be the only man in West Yorkshire who’s gutted to see Ayling leaving Leeds, that’s for sure.
