Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe addressed the fanbase at the end of the season, and has been speaking about the future of the club. Just like when the Whites were promoted, he ensured there will be investment on the pitch.
But before one transfer deal was even struck this summer, the club made an important decision. Ethan Ampadu was signed to a new four-year deal which will see him remain at Elland Road long-term.
The midfielder was rewarded for his standout season, and will continue with the team.
Paraag Marathe said there was no time wasted when it came to giving the club captain a new deal.
“There is no intent, for our core group, to move on from them because they had career seasons.
“Take Ethan, for example. It was never a contemplation, for a New York second, we were going to do anything other than try to extend him and keep him here for a long time.”
Fans will be very pleased that this was the first action of the summer.
Ethan Ampadu’s Leeds United contract comes with surprise news
Leeds United have not only tied down Ethan Ampadu for the future, but have made a statement by doing so. According to Beren Cross of The Athletic, there was interest in the midfielder.
Clubs had contacted Ampadu’s camp to monitor the situation as he entered the final year of his deal. But Leeds worked very quickly to wrap that up.
The report also adds one key piece of information that many have missed – the new contract did not include a relegation clause.
This is in line with the policy the 49ers followed last summer as they declined to put the clause in the deals for new signings.
READ MORE: Leeds United midfielder ‘expected’ to seal Elland Road exit
What this means for the future
People may interpret the lack of a relegation clause in many ways, but the reasoning is quite clear from both sides.
Leeds United are ambitious, and will hope to become a stable Premier League side in the coming years. And Ethan Ampadu is implied to agree with that, so there is no need for a relegation clause.
Secondly, this means that in the unfortunate event that the club ever goes back down to the Championship, Ampadu will determine his own future. Since no club can trigger this clause, the decision will be left to the midfielder.
Overall, this important point just goes to show how much Ampadu and the club owners are determined to remain a top side in the Premier League going forward.
