Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Graham Smyth Leeds United have published their retained list and remain in talks over the futures of three of Daniel Farke's first team squad members. The Whites began their post-season business with the news that captain Ethan Ampadu had signed a new four-year deal. Ampadu's contract was due to expire in the summer of 2027, though the club did hold an option for a further year. Leeds have followed that with their retained list, which confirms who among those with contracts running out at the end of June will leave and who will stay. Leeds announced on Wednesday morning that Illan Meslier would leave the club after seven years at Elland Road and the club also said farewell to loanee Facundo Buonanotte who played just 36 minutes of Premier League football since joining in January. But they remain in talks over the futures of Sam Byram, Alex Cairns and Karl Darlow. The latter has a number of suitors but Leeds are keen to keep him as part of their goalkeeping set-up for n...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United’s full retained list is expected later today. Leeds United will say goodbye to a two-time title winner this summer. The Whites are due to publish their retained list by noon on Wednesday along with the rest of the Premier League clubs yet to do so. One of the names it will reveal among the summer exits is that of goalkeeper Illan Meslier. The Frenchman was originally brought to the club on loan from FC Lorient in 2019 and having been drafted into the first team towards the end of his first season during Kiko Casilla’s racism ban, helped Marcelo Bielsa's men to win the Championship. Meslier remained first-choice keeper for the vast majority of Leeds' three seasons in the top flight, until Sam Allardyce dropped him for the final handful of games in what was a doomed attempt to keep the Whites up. Daniel Farke also saw Meslier as his number one for almost two full seasons, but brought Karl Darlow in between the sticks for the promotion run-...

The Leeds United chief is both optimistic and realistic about the near and long term future Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter Paraag Marathe is unquestionably hopeful about the future at Leeds United, yet it is undeniable that the club needs a period of Premier League stability before thinking about loftier heights. The 49ers supremo believes it will take three seasons to fully establish the Whites as a top-flight regular and is keen to not repeat the mistakes of when Leeds were last in the Premier League, amid the drop off after a remarkable first season. Yet Marathe is clear on the potential of United, from the stadium to the academy and beyond. During a chat with reporters on Monday, the chairman portrayed a measured and promising blueprint for what comes next. The Leeds chief was quizzed on the long-term goal for the club, what needs to happen next and his continued involvement with Scottish giants Rangers. Below is the second part of the Q&A transcript, with the ot...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United will be working under new financial rules during this summer's transfer window. Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe says the Premier League's new Squad Cost Ratio will mean less flexibility in short term spending but the club want to add difference makers in the summer transfer window. The Whites secured Premier League status for next season with games to spare and have set their sights on improving Daniel Farke's starting XI. But they will be operating in a slightly different financial world from this summer, with the Profitability and Sustainability Rules [PSR] being replaced by the new Squad Cost Ratio [SCR]. Leeds voted against the new rules because they believe in the short term it means they can spend a little less. But with the Elland Road redevelopment now underway, the expectation is that an expanded stadium will make SCR more beneficial in the future. In the meantime, that means 'strategic' recruitment according to Mar...

Leeds United are delighted to announce captain Ethan Ampadu has signed a new contract with the club, committing his long-term future to the Whites. The 25-year-old has put pen-to-paper on a fresh four-year deal, to keep him at Elland Road until the summer of 2030. The versatile midfielder has been an influential figure in West Yorkshire both on and off the pitch since his arrival from Chelsea ahead of the 2023/24 season, when he was the first signing of the club’s new ownership regime. In his debut campaign, Ampadu featured in every league match for Daniel Farke’s side and was named the club’s Player of the Year. The following summer, Ampadu was handed the captain’s armband and revelled in the role, leading by example to help guide the Whites to a 100-point haul and, crucially, the Championship trophy which he proudly held aloft after the final day victory away at Plymouth Argyle. Last term, Ethan shone on United’s return to the Premier League, making 35 appearances in the he...

The Leeds United captain is staying on at Elland Road in what is a hugely important first summer step Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter Club captain Ethan Ampadu has penned a four-year contract extension at Leeds United, keeping him at the club until 2030. The midfielder arrived from Chelsea for £7m in 2023 and has become an integral part of Daniel Farke's project at Elland Road, with the manager often describing him as his "most important player". His contract was due to expire next summer but by agreeing new terms, Leeds have shut down the danger of rival clubs coming in with offers. A renewal for Ampadu was one of the main objectives for the board this off-season. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, chairman Paraag Marathe shared his delight with getting the deal over the line. He said: "Ethan was so instrumental for a whole year. He's such a captain on and off the pitch. Everything he does is just true leadership. "He is almost like one of u...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has responded to Daniel Farke's recent comments on ambition and addressed the manager's Elland Road future. With Premier League safety secured, Farke used a pre-game press conference to put on record his feelings about the immediate future. The German said that all the boxes had been ticked on his and 49ers Enterprises' first project and now it was time to sit down and discuss the next steps, but if maintaining the status quo was the goal then he was not the right man for the job. Farke defined ambition as keeping the club's best players and avoiding the mistakes of the summer 2021 transfer window when the team was not sufficiently strengthened. "I'm not bothered by it," said Marathe, speaking to the local press in London. "I love his ambition. I have ambition too, I think it was probably for him - and I'm happy for him - probably a moment to just [let out a ] sigh, it was relaxation f...

By Kyle Newbould A look at the history behind the badge adorning Leeds United’s 2026/27 Adidas away shirt. Leeds United officially released their 2026/27 away kit on Thursday with a nod to one of the club’s most successful periods in history. The Whites published a brilliant release film narrated by club legend Lucas Radebe, showcasing the lengths fans go to watch their beloved club on the road. A handful of current squad members are also involved, including Anton Stach, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Next season’s away design has reverted back to the bold yellow that brought record sales ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, but the similarities don’t end there. Like the 1970s smiley badge that adorned that Championship title-winning kit, Leeds have gone retro again with the use of their much-loved Yorkshire Rose badge. Leeds had their Yorkshire Rose badge in place over a 14-year period from 1984 to 1998, a hugely successful spell spent mostly under iconic manag...

By Kyle Newbould Leeds United and Adidas have released their new away shirt for the 2026/27 Premier League season. Leeds United have officially released their retro-inspired Adidas away shirt for the 2026/27 season. The Whites are about to enter their seventh year with kit manufacturers Adidas and second consecutive campaign in the Premier League. Daniel Farke’s side finished 14th last season and look set for another exciting summer. On Thursday morning, the club officially revealed the design for next season’s away shirt, reverting back to a traditional Leeds yellow with night navy and white detailing on the sleeve and neck. It will be accompanied by navy shorts and yellow socks. And as was the case in 2024/25, the upcoming campaign’s offering will have a nod back to the glory days in the form of a much-loved retro Leeds crest that was present on all shirts between 1984 and 1998. The Yorkshire Rose badge is synonymous with Howard Wilkinson’s 1991/92 First Division title-winn...

Leeds United and adidas have today unveiled the club’s new away kit for the 26/27 Premier League season, marking a historic first for the partnership with the strip featuring the iconic adidas Originals Trefoil logo. Our new away kit also sees the return of the much-loved white rose crest, which last appeared on a Leeds United shirt during the 98/99 campaign. Combining two iconic symbols with one of the club’s most recognisable colourways, this new launch celebrates both Leeds United’s heritage and the enduring connection between the club, the city and Yorkshire. The shirt has a classic yellow base, synonymous with Leeds United away kits throughout the decades. Striking yet refined, the vibrant EQT yellow is complemented by night navy and white detailing, reimagining a renowned colour palette through a modern adidas Originals lens. The V-neck jersey is then paired with navy shorts and yellow socks to complete the away strip for our upcoming campaign. To accompany the reveal, Leed...

By Graham Smyth Work is already underway at Elland Road following the conclusion of Leeds United's 2025/26 Premier League season. Leeds United have officially marked the start of Elland Road's 'enhancement' with work already started on the new West Stand. Drone footage posted on the CC Overview YouTube channel over the past two weeks has shown the demolition of the old ticket office and LUTV studio, along with the partial removal of the banqueting suite behind the West Stand. The floodlights behind the stand have also come down and a temporary structure to house corporate hospitality is going up at the back of the Kop. A club statement says the development work heralds a 'momentous moment' in Leeds United history. It read: "The enhancement of Leeds United’s iconic Elland Road Stadium is officially under way. Our home, our future and a momentous moment in the club’s 106-year existence, work has now begun on the West Stand starting with the removal of...

By Kyle Newbould Daniel Farke is close to reaching three years at Leeds United having guided them to Premier League safety. Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been labelled a ‘good person’ who did a ‘brilliant job’ staving off relegation by a former managerial colleague. Farke kept Leeds up relatively comfortably in the end, their 47 points good enough for 14th place and safety with three Premier League games to spare. The German oversaw a hugely impressive eight-match unbeaten run to get his side over the line, losing for the first time since early-March on the final day at West Ham when there was nothing to play for. After coming under early pressure amid concerns of previous top-flight failings with Norwich City, Farke is now widely expected to guide Leeds into a fourth season as manager. And former colleague Tony Pulis, who managed over 1,000 matches, 323 of which were in the Premier League, is happy to see a ‘nice man’ do well in this cutthroat industry. “Daniel Farke ha...

By Stuart Rayner Asking Daniel Farke to pick out the most important matches of Leeds United's 2025-26 is a bit like asking him to name his favourite child. But it is clear that a lot of what was so good about the Whites' first season back in the Premier League came out of defeats and setbacks. It speaks volumes for the resilience of Farke and players like Brenden Aaronson that they were able to use them in the right way. Learning from mistakes is an important part of life, never mind football, but not all managers get the chance, with some chairman prone to panic at the first sign of trouble and reach for the P45. Leeds must be mightily relieved they gave Farke the opportunity. For many of us, the 3-2 defeat at Manchester City felt like a turning point for Leeds, but in trying not to answer the question, it was perhaps telling that Farke reached for September's 1-0 reverse at Craven Cottage first. "It was a long season, a marathon, and in a marathon each ...

Daniel Farke has won supporters over with his exploits at Leeds United this season Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter Daniel Farke proved critics wrong this season, shrugging off the doubts about his ability to keep Leeds United in the Premier League. The manager appeared to be on the brink in November before a dramatic U-turn amid a switch to a back three formation changed the club’s fortunes and ultimately his own reputation. Reports that broke last year suggested those in the 49ers hierarchy had concerns about Farke’s chances of securing safety for Leeds and pondered over replacing him, despite having just won the Championship title by a club record points. Whether accurate speculation or not, Farke had a point to prove back in England’s top flight, to the wider football community but also to some Leeds supporters themselves with angst in the fanbase over Farke’s Premier League acumen following relegation and then dismissal in his two Premier League campaigns at cash-stri...

By Stuart Rayner Daniel Farke used the pulling power of Elland Road in last summer's transfer window and plans to do the same again as Leeds United look to upgrade their squad for a second season in the Premier League. The historic ground has a reputation as something of a bear pit, and it served Leeds well last season. Only bottom of the table Wolverhampton Wanderers won a higher percentage of their points at home in 2025-26. Work is now underway on expanding capacity from the current 37,645 capacity to what will ultimately be 53,000, and it is vital the matchday atmosphere is not diluted by it. Manager Farke, inset, will certainly be unafraid to trade off the fanbase with his next batch of transfer targets. “In my first conversations with Anton Stach and Seb Bornauw, I told them, 'Listen, if you want to have a feeling how Elland Road is, go on YouTube and all the channels, and have a look.’ “I think this impressed them a lot. “Of course there are many more poi...

Balaclava Man Written by: Rob Conlon David Ekin can still remember the exact moment his friend Andy Metcalfe fashioned the makeshift balaclava that became one of the defining images in Leeds United’s history. “It was February 1975,” Ekin says over a cup of tea in the living room of his home in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire. “Middlesbrough away. We won 1-0, Allan Clarke scored. A load of us went up on a train from York and we stopped at Darlington. It was early in the morning. I think the pubs opened at half ten, so we got into this boozer and we could see Andy on his own in the corner up to something. He had his woolly hat and he was smoking. He came up with the idea of burning two holes in it so he could see, and then burned a hole for his mouth so he could keep smoking.” Ekin was friendlier with Metcalfe’s younger brother, Rob. “Andy wasn’t really a big mixer with the lads,” he says. “He was a bit of a lone wolf. You had to keep an eye on him because he was always up to some...

By Graham Smyth Morrie Eisenberg contributed to the Elland Road expansion plans while at Leeds United. Leeds United have confirmed the summer departure of one of the top Elland Road executives. Morrie Eisenberg is to leave the club this summer to take up the CEO role at San Diego Wave in the National Women's Soccer League. Eisenberg arrived at Elland Road in October 2023 and has held the role of chief business officer. He was tasked with input into the Elland Road redevelopment plan, commercial revenue streams and business operations. Managing director Robbie Evans said: "While I am disappointed to see Morrie leave, I am grateful for his effort and impact over the last three years. Much as with players, when you employ excellent people who produce excellent results, sometimes the unfortunate effect is that they will attract interest elsewhere. "Morrie and I first met three years ago in discussing if we should leave our old lives behind to try and help Leeds Unit...

A letter to supporters. Dear Leeds United supporters, With the season now finished, following an extraordinary effort by everybody connected to this great football club, I am immensely proud to have achieved our goal of securing another season in the Premier League. While this year brought memorable highs and difficult moments, Daniel and the squad delivered a special campaign. In a league where promoted clubs usually struggle, survival in our first season back is a significant accomplishment. We are also especially proud to have recorded our first league win at Old Trafford since 1981 and to have reached our first FA Cup semi-final since 1987. This season, clearly one of the determining factors for the squad was your energy at Elland Road - we collected 32 points on home soil. We will need that energy next season to ensure it remains a fortress. I said last year that the road ahead would not be easy - that is still true. History shows that the second season in the Premier Le...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United's fine Premier League campaign ended with a whimper at relegated West Ham United. Daniel Farke described the 3-0 defeat at London Stadium as a 'game too far' without key players, despite welcoming back Pascal Struijk and Jayden Bogle from their respective injuries. The Whites wilted in the intense heat and though the Hammers ran out victorious, time ran out on their stint in the top flight.Here's the YEP take. Good day Jaka Bijol. The Slovenian was the best of the bunch against West Ham and defended his box with the usual gusto. Few others matched his reliability all afternoon. It was only 1-0 when he went off. Travelling fans. The mood was relaxed en route to the capital and it was largely a party atmosphere in the away section throughout. They poked fun at their soon-to-be-relegated rivals all afternoon and enjoyed themselves in the sun. The relentless chants listing West Ham’s 2026/27 opposition were as merciless as they were am...