'One of the best' - Gaetano Berardi outlines hope for Leeds United future as Whites build from 'solid base'

Promotion-winning hero Berardi is departing the Whites this summer following a seven-year stint with Leeds having joined from Sampdoria in the summer of 2014.

Berardi signed for the club when Leeds had already spent the last decade outside of the country's top flight following the heartache of relegation in 2004.

Three years in League One were to follow and Berardi himself then spent his first five seasons at Leeds with unsuccessful attempts at gaining promotion from the Championship back to the Premier League

But that all changed in the 2019-20 campaign as Marcelo Bielsa's Whites stormed to the Championship title and Berardi finally returned from a torn ACL injury to play United's last two games in their first season back in the Premier League.

Leeds surged their way to a ninth-placed finish, only missing out a European qualification spot by two places and three points, and Berardi is excited for what the club's future could hold.

The 32-year-old warrior defender will be plying his trade elsewhere, but very much watching on as a fan.

"I think it's a really good base now to build a stronger team and a stronger club," said Berardi to LUTV.

"We have a really good group of players, the manager is one of the best and we could see what we did in the first year of the Premier League.

"I think it's a good base and for sure the club will know what to do to build again.

"I hope I will watch some good games in the next years!"

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/ben-white-issues-leeds-united-message-and-reflects-on-kalvin-phillips-bond-after-brighton-defenders-england-call-3252520

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-plan-fresh-round-of-recruitment-for-under-23s-with-loans-out-and-permanent-exits-possible-3253270

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins