Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Joe Donnohue The YEP understands Red Bull GmbH's stake in Leeds United has not been diluted following a £120 million cash injection from majority shareholders 49ers Enterprises. A report in City AM claimed the energy drink giant had taken the decision to dilute its share in Leeds after a share issue by majority owners 49ers Enterprises. The club have raised new investment worth approximately £120m through the issuing of new shares to existing investors following promotion to the Premier League with the funds earmarked for Elland Road's redevelopment and potentially summer transfer expenditure. Share issues are designed to bolster a company's spending power, improving cash flow, enabling the business to invest and grow. It is an economic move which has advantages over taking out a bank loan, for example, as the business is not required to pay back the funds, nor is interest charged. Red Bull are understood to hold an approximate 10 per cent share of the club aft...

Joining up with Wales for their training camp ahead of June's international fixtures, Karl Darlow has spoken of his 'dream' of playing at the World Cup, winning the Championship with Leeds and following in his grandfather's footsteps. Playing the final seven games of the season, Darlow kept four clean sheets as Leeds lifted the title on the last day, following a 2-1 win away to Plymouth. “It was an incredible end to the season, a really long season,” said Darlow. “We had a great string of results at the end that got us over the line, it went down to the last day for who was going to win the title, and thankfully we got over the line in the last minute. It was an incredible day and a great way to finish our season.” After a short break, Darlow has joined back up with Craig Bellamy's Wales squad, hoping to emulate his grandfather, Ken Leek, who was a member of the squad that represented the Red Dragons at the 1958 World Cup. “It would mean everything. As a p...

Charles Jones Leeds United are back in the Premier League after winning the Championship for the second time in five years. Indeed, Leeds are back in the big time, this time under Daniel Farke, half a decade on from earning promotion under Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa was a legend at Leeds, and, in some ways, fans of the club still haven’t quite got over the Argentine. Indeed, Leeds were urged to re-hire Bielsa at one point after his sacking, and while Bielsa didn’t see eye-to-eye with everybody, he did some incredible things for Leeds. Speaking on Ben Foster’s Podcast, Patrick Bamford has been discussing Marcelo Bielsa’s sacking, and he shared an interesting story about what happened the very next day. Bamford spoke about his trip to see Marcelo Bielsa the day after Leeds decided to sack him. The striker says he went to Bielsa’s house the day after he was sacked, and he was shocked to see the Argentine sat watching football with his analysts so soon after leaving his job. “H...

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By Kyle Newbould Leeds United missed out on Championship promotion after Leicester City won the title. Leicester City have been charged for a breach of Profitability and Sustainability Rules during the 2023/24 season in which they pipped Leeds United to Championship promotion. The Premier League confirmed on Monday it has referred Leicester to an independent commission regarding three separate charges, the most notable of which involves breaching the Championship’s PSR rules last season. The Foxes have also been charged with failing to provide their accounts to the Premier League before the December 31, 2024 deadline and not providing ‘full, complete and prompt assistance’ to the league in response to inquiries. Leicester won the Championship title during the season in which they are alleged to have breached PSR rules, registering 97 points on their way to the Championship title with Ipswich Town second and eventual play-off final losers Leeds third. All three promoted teams, i...

By Kyle Newbould Leeds United are expected to spend big this summer as their Premier League return beckons. Leeds United look set for one of their busiest and most expensive summers in recent memory amid reports they plan to raise £120million through fresh investment. 49ers Enterprises chief and Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe has already described this summer as the most important in decades, with a return to the Premier League confirmed last month after two years out. Daniel Farke’s side racked up 100 points on their way to the Championship title but few would expect the same squad to survive in the top-flight, with a raft of top-level additions needed. Funds will not be infinite, however, and Profitability and Sustainability rules (PSR) dictate Leeds’ maximum permitted losses for next season will be £61million, due to having two of their previous three seasons in the Championship and one in the Premier League. The club will benefit from increased broadcast and commercial reven...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United are set for a glamour friendly against one of the biggest clubs in world football Leeds United are expected to announce a pre-season friendly with Serie A giants AC Milan in Dublin this summer. The Whites have not yet confirmed their summer fixtures, beyond a clash with Manchester United in Stockholm at the Strawberry Arena on on Saturday July 19. Daniel Farke's squad is expected to travel to Germany again for a pre-season training camp that is likely to include a pair of fixtures. Last summer they took on Hannover 96 and Schalke 04 in preparation for their Championship campaign, beating both in behind-closed-doors games. The club made clear their intention to arrange fixtures that fans could attend for the summer of 2025 but they are yet to make public their final plans. Leeds are also expected to take on AC Milan at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in August, as first reported by Irish media. The Whites have a huge following in both the Republic ...

Will Butcher Ask most Leeds United fans what they would like the club to do first this summer, and it would be to sign Manor Solomon on a permanent basis from Tottenham Hotspur. When Solomon joined last summer, there was a mixed reaction. Most agreed that Solomon would be a stunning signing in the Championship if fully fit – and while some saw it as a coup, others felt it was risky. Michael Bridges has said Leeds took a risk in signing Solomon. But that gamble paid off with Solomon having a hand in 23 goals during 2024-25, scoring an injury-time winner to win the Championship title. Leeds have been told Daniel Levy wants £15m-£20m for Solomon this summer, a deal that represents pure profit for Spurs given they signed him on a free. But emerging reports from Israel come as a worry. Solomon talks reach impasse despite Leeds and Tottenham link Leeds have had plenty of dealings with Spurs in recent years. Djed Spence, Joe Rodon (twice) and Archie Gray have all been the subject ...

By Kyle Newbould Two former Leeds United owners have recent links to a dramatic twist in Italy’s Serie B. Former Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino is at the heart of a dramatic post-season relegation twist in Italy's second-tier Serie B, according to reports. Cellino-owned Brescia appeared to have kept themselves from relegation to Serie C last week after beating Reggiana 2-1, a result which condemned Italian giants Sampdoria to a first-ever drop into the third tier. The Genovese side, who until recently were owned by Cellino’s successor at Elland Road Andrea Radrizzani, drew 0-0 with Juve Stabia, therefore finishing in the bottom three. Brescia’s final-day win also took them above fourth and fifth-bottom Salernitana and Frosinone respectively, who were set to go head-to-head in a two-legged play-off for the final relegation place, with the first meeting initially scheduled for Monday May 19. But in the most dramatic circumstances, that play-off has been postponed and Bres...

Midfielder leaves the club upon expiration of his contract. Josuha Guilvaogui joined Leeds United after the 2024/25 campaign had started, during a time where the club needed experience and midfield reinforcement in the battle to secure automatic promotion. The 34-year-old signed for Daniel Farke’s side in October and would go on to play an important role both on and off the pitch. He will now leave Elland Road upon the expiration of his contract, forever part of a title-winning side. Josuha's final moments on the pitch for the club came at home to Bristol City in a 4-0 success, which was our last outing at Elland Road in such a memorable campaign. He ended his time having played 16 matches in the league and in none of them were the team defeated. “There is so much talent in this team and I am lucky to have played with some great players in my career, but here it was more than just players. Everyone here called me Uncle Josh! They gave me more than just this relationship as ...

By Lee Sobot Leeds have submitted their retained list. Leeds United have submitted their retained list for the 2025/26 season, featuring an important figure departure and key pair update. Thirteen players have been announced as departing the club, headed by experienced midfielder Josuha Guilavogui upon his Whites contract expiring this summer. Last season’s loan stars Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell will also return to their parent clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth respectively. Fellow youngsters Harry Christy, Cian Coleman, Connor Ferguson, Max McFadden, Amari Miller, Kris Moore, Joe Richards, Joe Snowdon, Luca Thomas and Dan Toulson are the ten youngsters departing. A statement issued by the club read: “Leeds United can confirm the club’s retained list for the 2025/26 season has been submitted to the EFL. “Leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract, Josuha Guilavogui departs with all of our best wishes. “The midfielder joined the club during the 2024/25...

By Joe Donnohue YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth predicts Leeds United will still need a 'sale or two' this summer. The transfer window opens next month with Leeds expected to recruit Premier League-standard players in their bid to preserve top flight status for longer than a single season. None of the last six newly-promoted sides have achieved this, each succumbing to an immediate Championship return. United's Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) headroom will be impacted by the two years the club has spent in the second tier with their maximum loss threshold for the three-year accounting period ending June 30, 2025 down from £82 million to £61 million. Considering the club reported a loss of roughly £60 million for the 2023/24 season alone, in addition to a £33.7 million loss the year prior, player sales this summer would improve the club's financial position. That said, the Whites do expect to receive in excess of £100 million from their restored P...

Leeds United are aware of an image circulating online of Ethan Ampadu’s son. Ethan separated from his partner several months ago and has no responsibility for the image in question. Ethan is aware of and sensitive to the tragic loss within the Loftus and Speight families. The club asks for Ethan’s privacy to be respected in what is a difficult time for him personally. Our captain has been a leader on and off the pitch this season, demonstrating his commitment to the club, its history, and the broader Leeds community. Ethan has the full support of everybody at Leeds United. The club will be making no further comment.

By Joe Donnohue Leeds United's task during the 2025/26 Premier League campaign will be to ensure of their participation for more than one season. Over the last two years which Leeds have spent in the Championship, the club have been fighting to rejoin a division which has sent the last six newly-promoted teams packing after only 38 games. None of the teams promoted in 2023/24 or 2024/25 have been able to maintain their place in English football's top flight for longer than a season, which is the trend United are seeking to avoid becoming a part of next term. Of the three promoted teams this season, with one yet to be decided out of Sheffield United and Sunderland, Leeds appear in the best shape, so far retaining the core of Daniel Farke's squad which earned 100 points and a Championship title. The YEP has put together a list of strengths and weaknesses at Elland Road, assessing where the Whites are better off than their newly-promoted counterparts and relegation r...

By Joe Donnohue Former Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear has recently begun a new role as Everton CEO. Kinnear's move is, in a way, Leeds' first transfer of the summer, swapping Elland Road for the Toffees' new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium where he will undertake a similar function to the one he fulfilled at United for almost eight years. Leadership changes at Elland Road have seen 49ers strategy lead Robbie Evans promoted to managing director and appointed to the board with Leeds keen to ensure Kinnear's exit and the continued smooth-running of club operations be a streamlined one. Following Leeds' promotion and Championship title victory, the club will once again be a direct rival of Everton's next season. With both teams likely to battle it out in the bottom half of the 2025/26 Premier League table, if recent seasons' form is anything to go by, Kinnear's move begs the question: What will the ex-Leeds chief be able to share with his new ...

By Graham Smyth A Leeds United fan who suffered a horror fall during the city's promotion bus parade celebrations has woken and his family are confident he stands a 'fantastic' chance of a good recovery. Ed O'Brien fell from a tree in Millennium Square on Monday May 5 and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary with life-threatening injuries. His family spent six days at his bedside before what mum Stacey Barker describes as a 'miracle' when he woke for the first time on Monday May 12. In a statement to the YEP she said: "Now that we have let our family and closest friends know, we are in a position to issue an update to the wider community as well as the vast football family our boy is part of. As many of you will know, last Monday our son, Edward, suffered serious life threatening injuries as a result of a fall in Millennium Square during the Leeds United winners parade. That evening we were given the worst news a parent could ever hear, the news that ...

By Graham Smyth Gerry Francis, Leeds United’s first black player, has died aged 91. A statement from Leeds United confirmed the former player’s passing. It read: “Leeds United are saddened to hear of the passing of former player Gerry Francis aged 91. The South African winger represented the club between 1957 and 1961, becoming the first black footballer to play for Leeds and would go on to score nine goals in 50 appearances. “A true pioneer, Francis was also the first black South African to play in England’s top division and featured in Don Revie’s opening match in charge of Leeds, alongside Billy Bremner and Jack Charlton in March 1961 against Portsmouth. Having left his homeland during the height of Apartheid, Gerry swapped his role in a shoe manufacturing company to become his country’s second black footballer to play abroad professionally. The attacker would welcome the signing of compatriot Albert Johanneson, with whom he would share the pitch on three occasions on opposite...

Inside Leeds' Vegas promotion party: Former Man United star leads the celebrations with bikini-clad hosts - and giant cut-outs of players' faces! Leeds United secured promotion to the Premier League at the back end of April   Celebrations continued after they won the Championship title earlier this month By HARRY BAMFORTH Around this time in 2024, Leeds United were in the midst of a play-off campaign which would end in Wembley heartbreak at the hands of Southampton. This year, though, they are celebrating promotion in the depths of Las Vegas. The Whites booked their place back in the Premier League three weeks ago as they hammered Stoke City at Elland Road with two games left in the Championship season. It would signal the start of a series of parties that have grown bigger with each passing week, from on the pitch at Plymouth, to in the streets of Leeds with their adoring fans. And now, the celebrations are continuing across the pond in Sin City. Leeds finished t...

By Will Rooney Everton have prised Angus Kinnear to the club from Leeds United. Everton have confirmed that Angus Kinnear has taken up his position as chief executive. Kinnear arrives at the Toffees after leaving his post at Leeds United. He spent eight years at Elland Road and helped oversee two promotions to the Premier League. This season, the Whites won the Championship title with 100 points. But Kinnear, who has also worked at Arsenal and West Ham United in his career, has been prised to Merseyside by The Friedkin Group. He was due to start in June but begins in his remit early. Kinnear will help with the transition of the club moving to their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock ahead of next season. Kinnear said: “It is a tremendous honour to be joining Everton as chief executive officer. This is a club with a huge and passionate fanbase, steeped in a proud history and with enormous potential thanks to the vision of our ownership and the move this summer to an awe-inspiri...

By Joe Donnohue Leeds United forward Harry Gray has been named in England's tournament finals squad for this summer's Under-17 European Championships. The Leeds teenager is selected among Neil Ryan's talented U17 group for the annual tournament which begins in Albania next week. England are one of eight finalists and will compete in the group stage against Italy, Belgium and the Czech Republic between 20 and 26 May. The Young Lions were eliminated at the quarter-final stage on penalties last summer and are seeking their first title at this age group since tournament triumphs in 2010 and 2014. Former Leeds player and academy graduate Lewis Cook was a part of the England squad which took home silverware in 2014. Leeds youngster Gray is one of only a handful of players in the England U17 cohort to have had experience in a senior football setting. The 16-year-old made his Leeds bow off the bench against Stoke City towards the end of United's Championship-winning 2...

By Lee Sobot Patrick Bamford is embracing a changing role at Elland Road. Whites no 9 Patrick Bamford is embracing a growing Leeds United leadership role - but with a personal reminder about what he still has to offer. Bamford joined Leeds as a 24-year-old from Middlesbrough in August 2018 but is now one year into his 30s as he approaches his eighth season with the Whites. Speaking in an interview with CBS Sports Golazo, Bamford spoke about becoming more and more of a leader within camp, the striker aiming to lead by example as support for younger players. Asked if he was a leader in the dressing room and what he saw his role as, Bamford admitted: “It's not until you look around the dressing room that you actually think ‘God I am getting old here, I am getting on a bit.’ "So I do try and lean on my experience a little bit and I think this year I have spoke to a lot of the players who maybe haven't been in the team as much or as much as they would want and kind ...

By Joe Stephenson The year is 2015. Summer is in full swing and so is the transfer window, with clubs across the land vying to pull off that one deal that could determine the next 10 months. Leeds United were fresh off the back of a dismal Championship campaign, finishing 15th and 22 points shy of the play-offs. As a result, they decided firepower in forward areas would become the message of the day and subsequently approached Watford’s Fernando Forestieri. The forward had just helped the Hornets achieve promotion to the top-flight but didn’t look set to feature much in the Premier League, so was open to exploring a move to Elland Road. All signs looked like they were pointing towards Forestieri joining the Whites, but suddenly, the deal was off. “I will not sign them” – Massimo Cellino’s Fernando Forestieri stance may have cost Leeds United dearly But why? It couldn’t have been doubts over his ability, as he had displayed fine creative tendencies during his time at Vicarag...

By Lee Sobot Leeds United’s squad flew out to Las Vegas for end of season celebrations. Whites striker Patrick Bamford has explained the background to Leeds United’s end of season trip to Las Vegas with a play-offs revelation. Already promoted Leeds sealed the Championship title on last Saturday’s final day of the season which was followed by the club’s open top bus parade through the city centre on Bank Holiday Monday. The celebrations, though, then continued for the Leeds squad who then flew out to Las Vegas, from where Bamford conducted an interview with CBS Sports Golazo. Asked about the Vegas trip, Bamford revealed that United’s American owners had planned to fly the squad there last summer in the event of winning the play-off final against Southampton. One year on, the “stipulation” remained with the squad now able to enjoy their trip as Championship champions. “It was one of the stipulations to be fair,” said Bamford, asked about the Vegas trip and if the club’s ow...

By Lee Sobot Manor Solomon dazzled on a season-long loan at Leeds from Tottenham. Manor Solomon has made a declaration about his future in a message to Leeds United’s supporters with an admission. Israel international winger Solomon joined Leeds on a season-long loan from Tottenham last summer as he looked to build up regular game time following injury troubles. The Spurs star went on to bag 10 goals and 12 assists to help Leeds to promotion as Championship champions, including netting the goal that ultimately sealed the title in the final day 2-1 win at Plymouth Argyle. It meant Solomon signing off from his loan spell in the ultimate style and the winger has now penned a message to United’s fans - declaring that he does not know what his future holds. Solomon, though, has admitted that whatever happens, Leeds United will now forever be in his heart. Taking to his Instagram page, Solomon wrote: “After nearly a year without football, I couldn’t have asked for a better come...

By Lee Sobot The celebrations continue for Whites skipper Ethan Ampadu. Whites captain Ethan Ampadu has issued a Leeds United message following the club’s title celebrations and received a Whites award. United’s players are now on their summer breaks following their stellar season which saw the club promoted back to the Premier League as Championship champions. Manor Solomon’s late strike sealed the title through last Saturday’s 2-1 win at Plymouth Argyle which was followed by the club’s parade through the city centre two days later. Ampadu led the celebrations on the open top bus in front of an estimated 150,000 fans on the packed streets of Leeds before United’s players then signed off for the summer. Ampadu, though, is ensuring the celebrations of the season go on a little longer, the skipper taking to social media to issue a message as part of a week in which he has also received a new Whites award. Leeds announced on Friday that Ampadu had been named the club’s PFA C...

Luke Phelps Patrick Bamford is entering the final year of his contract at Leeds United, following an eventful but overall successful seven-year stint with the club. Leeds United have had very mixed opinions about Patrick Bamford at times. But on the whole he’s been a very good servant for the club and despite not starting a single league game in 2024/25, he remains a very well-liked player. In fact, Bamford didn’t score a single league goal in 2024/25 either. Injury limited him to just 17 Championship appearances in the end with Joel Piroe winning the Golden Boot after scoring four goals in the 6-0 win over Stoke City last month. For Bamford now, the future is uncertain. It’s widely speculated that Bamford will leave Leeds United this summer, following the club’s promotion to the Premier League under Daniel Farke. Although nothing concrete has been said about the 31-year-old’s situation. Ahead of the summer transfer window opening in June, Wrexham have been linked with Bamfor...

By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have officially appointed Robbie Evans as managing director with changes reflected on Companies House as of Friday, 9 May. Evans replaces outgoing chief executive Angus Kinnear, who begins a similar role with Everton this summer after several years at Leeds. Kinnear was first appointed to the board at Elland Road in June 2017 but a change on the British Government's Companies House website officially calls time on his almost eight-year stay. His profile as director on Companies House is no longer active. Evans has been promoted to managing director after initially joining the club as chief strategy officer two years ago. A club statement late last month confirming planned leadership changes read: "Evans currently oversees the club’s recruitment and football analytics departments. Previously he served as Chief Strategy Officer at a 2000+ person publicly traded company and before that was a key contributor in new stadium development with th...

By Graham Smyth Leeds City Council have revealed how they came up with the number of 150,000 for Leeds United's Championship title parade. Daniel Farke, his squad, club officials and employees boarded three open top buses on Monday afternoon and travelled from Elland Road to the city centre where a one-mile parade route was lined with countless Whites supporters. The parade took longer than expected to complete its route due to the sheer size of the crowds and revelling in the road ahead of the buses. Supporters began to file into the city centre more than four hours before the 1pm start time and City Square and other areas were awash with yellow, blue and white. When the bus arrived it was greeted with wild scenes as fans clambered onto bus shelters, up trees and onto scaffolding to catch a glimpse of their promotion heroes. Yellow, blue and white smoke flares were let off, as well as fireworks, throughout the parade which finally ended after a trip down The Headrow in front...