What's happened to Rodrigo Moreno after he left Leeds United | OneFootball

Former Spanish international Rodrigo Moreno has taken his career in a somewhat unexpected direction since leaving Leeds United

Former Spanish international Rodrigo Moreno has taken his career to the Middle-East since leaving Leeds United.

Rodrigo's time at Elland Road was part of an ambitious project under Marcelo Bielsa - as the Yorkshire club looked to establish themselves in the top-flight following their promotion.

Already five years ago - in 2020 - the Brazilian-born Spaniard joined with a lot of experience, having spent six successful years at Valencia where he scored 59 times in 220 appearances - winning the Copa del Rey in 2019.

Where he currently plays marks a big shift from the Premier League spotlight he enjoyed during his spell at the Whites, on loan with Al-Gharafa from Al-Rayyan.

Rodrigo's move to the Middle East after Leeds United spell

Following his Leeds exit - Rodrigo made the decision to continue his playing career in Qatar, a destination that has become increasingly popular among experienced players from Europe's top leagues that fancy new opportunities.

He joined Al-Rayyan in 2023 and has found himself on loan to league rivals Al-Gharafa, playing with fellow Spaniards Joselu - ex-Stoke City, and Sergio Rico - who spent a season on loan at Fulham.

This switch is a very big contrast football wise when you compare it to the style he played in England. Bielsa-ball was perhaps the most aggressive and high-intensity style of play England had seen to date - you can't imagine there would be a lot of pressing of that ilk going on with the Qatari climate.

In fact, Rodrigo has barely played at all - which sort of suggests he's just gone there for a lucrative wage and good weather, even with the Qatari league only having 22 games per season.

Reflecting on Rodrigo's Leeds United exit

During his three years at Leeds, Rodrigo's versatility as both a striker and attacking midfielder made him a valuable option for the Whites - he scored 15 goals (13 league) in his final season, but that wasn't enough to save them from relegation in 2022/2023.

What can't be forgotten, however, is how much money they actually lost on him for this reason. Phil Hay reported that Rodrigo's release clause was about £3m - for a 33-year-old, that seems relatively okay - until you remember Leeds spent a then-club-record £27m to get his signature in the first place.

Departing Leeds was the end of a decade-long spell in the top-flights of both Spain and England - he had previous experience when on loan at Bolton Wanderers in 2010, he was only 19.

The latter stages of Rodrigo's career serves us as another example of how modern footballers are now winding down the end of their playing time away from the elite-level, and with the money that's being offered, who is to blame them. Former Wolves captain Ruben Neves made the switch to Saudi Arabia - and is now reportedly earning triple his English salary.