Leeds United ambition doesn't stop at promotion vows owner Andrea Radrizzani

The Italian, who arrived at Elland Road three years ago, has led the Whites back to the top flight for the first time in 16 years.

He paid tribute to the work of head coach Marcelo Bielsa, appointed a year into Radrizzani's tenure, his staff, players and the fans after West Brom's Friday night loss at Huddersfield confirmed a top-two finish for Leeds.

“I am so happy for everyone in the Leeds United family, we all deserve this promotion," said Radrizzani.

"Leeds United is one of England’s greatest and most well-supported clubs with a rich history known all over the world.

"We have been out of the top-flight for 16 years and I am thrilled for the whole club and our incredible fans that we are back in the Premier League.

“I would like to congratulate our fantastic manager, Marcelo Bielsa, the entire coaching and backroom staff, and of course all of the players who have performed outstandingly throughout the season.

"Thank you to all our wonderful fans – I am so grateful for their loyal and unwavering support every season. They played a crucial role to drive us forward to promotion this year."

Radrizzani believes the club belongs in the top flight, but says the ambition is not simply to earn promotion.

“Since my journey with Leeds United began in the summer of 2017, we have strived for this moment and it is a time for us all to celebrate the club returning to where we belong," he said.

"This is truly an amazing achievement and I’m so proud to be part of this club’s success.

"But our ambition does not stop here – and we are determined to continue on this path of achievement in future seasons."

The players gathered at Elland Road to watch the Huddersfield game together last night and then celebrated, at a distance, with the hundreds of Leeds fans who swarmed around Billy Bremner's statue and outside the stadium's gates.

Radrizzani, who wrote an open letter to fans in the YEP this week to ask them to support the club from home, reiterated that celebrations must be 'sensible' and take the coronavirus pandemic into account.

“It is important that we all treasure this moment as a family in what has been a tough year for many of us, with the impact of COVID-19 affecting our community. I ask our supporters to be sensible when celebrating this week," he said.

"Our battle against the pandemic continues, so we must all act with care and safety – the health and well-being of our loved ones in our community must always be our top priority.

"Thank you to all club staff and their families, local authority officials and of course healthcare teams and essential key workers who made it possible for the season to conclude and gave us the chance to achieve this promotion.

"A final word about Norman Hunter and Jack Charlton, two club legends we lost recently and who would have certainly celebrated this achievement with us. They are part of a great legacy that we will work hard to honour, as we continue to take strides forward in a new cycle for this fantastic club.”