Leeds United have announced that goalkeeper Charlie Horton has departed the club to return to his native United States.
Horton only joined Leeds this summer, switching to the club from Cardiff City. However, the custodian has been down the pecking order, with Marco Silvestri and Ross Turnbull ahead of him.
The goalkeeper was signed by Uwe Rosler, who was sacked in October and replaced by Steve Evans, the former Rotherham United boss.
And now Horton has brought his Leeds adventure to an end in order to head back to the United States.
Horton is leaving Elland Road for personal reasons, due to what he called "a private family matter" back in his homeland.
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The goalkeeper also dashed any hopes of a quick return to English football by adding that: "I ask people to respect my privacy while I handle it, as it is not a short-term matter."
Horton's departure is sure to increase the intensity of the search for another goalkeeper at Elland Road, with Leeds having toyed with the idea of adding another custodian after Turnbull picked up an injury.
Leeds have stated that Horton leaves with their best wishes. He departs without having managed a single senior team appearance, but did feature at Under-21 level.
