José Leitón
- Years with club: 2017–2018 (Loan)
- Position: Winger / Left Midfield
- Nationality: Costa Rican
- Acquisition: Loaned from Herediano on August 10, 2017
José Leitón is a Costa Rican winger who joined Minnesota United FC during the club’s first Major League Soccer (MLS) season on a loan deal. Known for his pace, creativity, and ability to beat defenders on the outside, he was acquired to add depth and dynamism to the Loons’ attack. His time in Minnesota was very brief, lasting less than a season.
Key stats with Minnesota United (MLS):
- MLS regular season appearances: 1 (1 substitute appearance)
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 0
- Total minutes played: 15
- Acquisition: Loaned from Costa Rican club Herediano until July 10, 2018, with an option to buy.
- Departure: Waived by the club on March 10, 2018, less than a month into the 2018 season.
Memorable moments:
- International debut: He made his senior national team debut for Costa Rica in the semifinals of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup against the United States just before joining the Loons.
- Costa Rican Champion: Prior to joining Minnesota, he helped Herediano win the Costa Rican top-flight league championship (Campeonato de Verano 2017).
- Brief Loons career: His single appearance for the club came on October 15, 2017, in a match against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Where is he now?:
- After his loan spell ended, Leitón returned to Herediano before continuing his career primarily in the Costa Rican Primera División.
- He has since played for clubs including Puntarenas FC, Municipal Grecia, AD Guanacasteca, and Guadalupe FC.
- José Leitón currently plays as a left midfielder for AD Sarchí in the Costa Rican third division (Segunda División de Ascenso), a club he joined in January 2023.
