Juventus loanee Weston McKennie hops straight on a train from Leeds as his dad takes aim at fans who sang ‘you fat b*****d’ to him – while bizarrely reposting a ‘RIP’ video Harambe’ – after he failed to win £30m transfer
- McKennie has endured a miserable loan spell at Leeds since arriving in January
- As the club suffered relegation on Sunday, fans turned on the American midfielder
- His father John took to social media to remind supporters it is a ‘team sport’
Weston McKennie hopped straight on a train from Leeds on Sunday night following their relegation from the Premier League as he prepares to return to Juventus from his miserable loan spell at Elland Road.
McKennie joined Leeds on loan from Juventus at the end of January, heading to the Premier League to play under fellow American Jesse Marsch.
Yet just a week after his arrival, Marsch was fired by Los Blancos amid a dismal run, and the American midfielder failed to find his feet under the successors of Javi Gracia – who was also sacked last month – and Sam Allardyce.
It ultimately proved a nightmarish campaign for Leeds, who were relegated to the second tier of English football after a 4-1 home loss to Tottenham on Sunday.
And as they left the Premier League, white fans turned on a number of their players at Elland Road, including loanee McKennie.
Weston McKennie was seen walking out of Leeds after their relegation to the Premier League
Leeds were relegated to second tier in English football after losing 4-1 to Spurs
When substituted on the hour mark, the 24-year-old was subjected to wild chants of ‘you fat b*****d’ from the home crowd as they made their displeasure known over to his performances since arriving from Juventus. .
Late on Sunday night he was then seen on a train from Leeds as he prepared to return to Italy, after the club decided not to activate their £30m option to buy him outright and simply.
According to the Twitter user @timmahuwho shared the footage of McKennie making a quick exit, the train was destined for Kings Cross station in London – which is around 30 minutes by train from Heathrow Airport.
After watching his son draw abuse from Leeds fans on Sunday, McKennie’s father John took to social media to hit out at the supporters in question, while bizarrely quoting tweeting a video dedicated to the famous gorilla Harambe at the occasion of the seventh anniversary of his death.
He wrote: “Welcome to LUFC!” For those who supported Weston in a hostile environment, you have my respect! For those who don’t remember it’s a team sport you live to fight another day.
Fans were quick to point out his mistake, with one responding, “Mr. Mckennie, I think you quoted the wrong tweet”.
Another asked, “What does harambe have to do with this?
Others offered words of encouragement to the McKennies after the sour end of Weston’s loan spell at Elland Road.
McKennie was subjected to wild chants of ‘you fat b*****d’ when he was substituted
All the best to LUFC! For those who supported Weston in a hostile environment, you have my respect! For those who don’t remember this is a team sport you live to fight another day. https://t.co/1sKM4EWjJD
— John McKennie (@airborne69) May 28, 2023
The USA midfielder’s father, John (left), came to his defense on Twitter and reminded fans it was a ‘team sport’.
One said, “Too bad it never worked!” But Mckennie worked hard! Gutted for him like really like the guy”.
Another commented: “It was not an optimal environment for him. All my wishes. Good family!’
While a third said: ‘Face. It was so buzzing for us to sign Weston legitimately. Emptied it turned out that way. All the best in Weston.
McKennie returns to Juventus this summer with two more years left on his contract, but it remains to be seen whether he will be loaned out again in the 2023-24 campaign.
Leeds, meanwhile, need to start preparing for life in the Championship after their spell in the top flight ends.
