Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe reveals huge Ethan Ampadu contract development
Leeds United have 'locked up' one of the stars of Daniel Farke's Premier League squad for a further four years.
The Whites began contract talks with club captain Ethan Ampadu at the start of the year, with his current deal due to run out in 2027.
Leeds held an option for a further year but the midfielder's stellar top flight performances and his off-field leadership made it vital to secure his long-term future.
Speaking to the local media at a roundtable in London, chairman Paraag Marathe revealed that a deal had been struck with the 25-year-old to keep him at Elland Road until the summer of 2030.
"Ethan has signed an extension and we've got him locked up for four years," he said. "It's crossed and i's dotted, it's all done.
“Ethan was so instrumental for our whole year, and he's such a captain on and off the pitch. Everything he does is true leadership.
“Such an important first step for this upcoming window”
“He's sort of almost like one of us on the pitch, but he's also one of the guys. We all thought it was such an important first step for this upcoming window."
Ampadu joined the club in the summer of 2023 as one of the first pieces of the puzzle in Leeds' attempt to build a promotion bid.
He captained Farke's side to a Championship title, played a huge part in maintaining top flight status last season and has already played 126 games for the club despite suffering a pair of serious knee injuries in his second campaign.
Farke has repeatedly described the 62-cap Welsh international as the club's 'most important player' and he picked up both the Players' Player of the Year and Player of the Year awards at an end-of-season ceremony at Elland Road.