Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Graham Smyth The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s draw against Manchester United at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm. Leeds United's pre-season is off and running after a 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Strawberry Arena in Solna, Sweden. A new-look Whites squad, complete with summer signings including the latest arrival Sean Longstaff, held the more established Premier League outfit and gave a solid account of themselves in both halves despite a raft of rhythm-breaking changes. Here's the YEP take. Good day Daniel Farke A clean sheet, a draw and a step closer to another important transfer in Anton Stach, whose move is progressing towards completion now. It was a good day for the German, who wanted to win the game but was obviously content to hold Manchester United and keep them out. There was a new look to his tactical set-up and like the summer recruitment so far, it made sense. Ilia Gruev For a player whose place in the side appears...

By Graham Smyth YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was in Stockholm for the first glimpse of a new-look Leeds United as they drew 0-0 with Manchester United Leeds United showed a little of what they have and a little of what they still need in a 0-0 pre-season opener against Manchester United in Sweden. Strawberry Arena in Stockholm was a sea of red apart from a small block of white from which all the noise came for 90 minutes of very pre-season football. Those travelling from West Yorkshire or parts of Scandinavia to give the Whites their backing will have been tentatively encouraged by what they saw, however in two very different halves. The first saw Leeds hold a better grip on the ball and the tempo, albeit without troubling the more established Premier League outfit. The second saw them on the back foot for longer yet they held more of a goal threat on the counter. The most important boxes to tick for Daniel Farke were minutes in legs, the bedding in of new faces and t...

Boss gives his post-match thoughts to the media. Leeds United kicked off their pre-season schedule with an entertaining draw against rivals Manchester United in Stockholm. In blistering heat inside the Strawberry Arena, neither side were able to break the deadlock in front of a packed-out stadium. Speaking to the media, Whites manager Daniel Farke was encouraged by his side’s display and gave an insight into preparations ahead of the new campaign. “I have to say I am pleased with this game,” the boss told the press after the full-time whistle in the Swedish capital. “I am not over the moon because I want to win each and every football game. I also wanted to win this game today but obviously in the last two weeks it was about hard work, physical work to get physically ready. “It was an objective also to find a good balance in both halves to have experienced players as a core and also a few new lads already involved so that they get used to the processes. “Normally you woul...

Adam Elliott Leeds United produced a solid display in their opening game of pre-season against Man United, with Daniel Farke’s side playing out a 0-0 draw in Sweden. His side will now head to Germany, with Leeds United also taking part in two pre-season friendlies there last summer as well. But it was Willy Gnonto, Ao Tanaka, Jayden Bogle, and co. especially picking up where they left off last season. New signings Sean Longstaff, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and Gabriel Gudmundsson also came on for their debuts. Longstaff impressed many Leeds fans, too. Despite it being pre-season and players lacking sharpness, we learnt enough about Leeds vs Man United ahead of the Premier League opener against Everton already. There were some excellent performances and some meaningful ones too, as Leeds looked excellent in spells and had to defend their box well in others. Below, are the winners and losers from the game. Winners from Leeds United’s 0-0 draw against Man United in Sweden Jayden Bo...

By Tom Coates Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has confirmed his decision on the future of Patrick Bamford. The forward has made over 200 appearances for the Whites since he made the move from Middlesbrough in 2018. He has played a part in two Championship title-winning campaigns and delivered a remarkable 17-goal haul in the 2020/21 Premier League season. He even picked up an England cap in 2021, but injury has hampered Bamford in recent years and he did not manage to register a single goal last term. Eyebrows were raised when the 31-year-old was absent from Leeds’ squad for their pre-season friendly against Manchester United, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Decision made on Patrick Bamford In his post-match press conference, Farke confirmed he has told Bamford he is not in his plans for the 2025/26 campaign. It now appears likely the experienced marksman will move on this summer, bringing an end to a seven-year association with the Whites. There has also been speculation r...

By Lee Sobot Leeds United took on Manchester United at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm in their first pre-season friendly. Leeds United’s first pre-season friendly of the summer against rivals Manchester United in Stockholm ended in a goalless draw after chances for both sides. Leeds made a strong start, seeing plenty of the ball and dictating the game in the early stages. However, the Whites were unable to fashion a clearcut chance and Jayden Bogle's cross which just evaded onrushing new striker Lukas Nmecha was about the best it got. Manchester United initially offered very little apart from the odd flash of trickery from new £62.5m signing Matheus Cunha as new Whites centre-back Jaka Bijol looked particularly solid in the new-look back line next to Joe Rodon. But despite plenty of Leeds possession and particularly bright play from Bogle and Willy Gnonto, it was Manchester United who ended the half with the best chance of the game before being denied by the crossbar. ...

By Graham Smyth Fresh developments have emerged in Leeds United’s pursuit of a €20m star. Leeds United have agreed a €20m deal in principle for Hoffenheim's Anton Stach. The 6ft 4ins midfielder could join up with Leeds in the early stages of their training camp in Germany if the deal is concluded. Both Sean Longstaff, who completed his move to Elland Road from Newcastle United on Friday, and Stach were right at the top of Leeds' shortlist for central midfield targets in the summer transfer window. Focus can now turn to attackers, a keeper and any further signings Getting both men through the door early in pre-season means the Whites can now concentrate on getting the key additions of attackers, a goalkeeper and then any further signings that will strengthen Daniel Farke's squad. Leeds are taking on Manchester United in Stockholm today in their first pre-season friendly. Patrick Bamford, Darko Gyabi, Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt have not made the trip but J...

By Tom Coates There appears to be a surprise inclusion in Leeds United’s squad for their friendly against Manchester United - as well as a high-profile omission. With pre-season underway, Leeds are making the journey to Sweden to lock horns with their bitter rivals Manchester United in a friendly. It will be Daniel Farke’s first opportunity to see his new-look side in action, with transfer business having been conducted since the club’s Championship title triumph. Supporters will be eager to see who will feature against the Red Devils in Stockholm, with action due to commence at 2pm. Surprise inclusion in Leeds United squad While Leeds have not officially announced a squad list, the Yorkshire Evening Post have claimed Jack Harrison has travelled to Sweden. The 28-year-old was a regular fixture for the Whites between 2018 and 2023, but has spent the last two seasons out on loan at Everton. His back-to-back exits caused frustration in the Elland Road fanbase and the winge...

By Stuart Rayner In the summer of 2023, Ilia Gruev joined a big football club. In the spring of 2025, he realised how big. Playing for big clubs is what any footballer worth his salt wants to do, something the Bulgaria midfielder did at Werder Bremen. Leeds United are another level. "The focus on me is much bigger than at Werder Bremen, even though Bremen were in the Bundesliga and Leeds were in the Championship," says the 25-year-old. "When I looked in detail at what Leeds is – the club, the history and the fans – quickly you understand this is a really big club, not only in England but all over the world.” Things have gone up another notch as Gruev prepares for his first taste of the Premier League, including with a friendly in Stockholm on Saturday versus Manchester United. The benefits of playing for a big club are obvious. The week-long party with fans which began against Bristol City and ended with a city-centre parade via a 100-point title will live ...

By Paul Clarke Sean Longstaff has become Leeds United's fifth transfer of the summer window after the announcement of the midfielder's move from Newcastle Leeds United have confirmed their fifth signing of the summer window after Sean Longstaff's transfer from Newcastle United was announced this evening. Longstaff is the Whites' latest addition during the 2025 window after the likes of Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sebastiaan Bornauw and free transfer Lukas Nmecha put pen to paper. The deal is believed to be worth an initial £12m with the potential of £3m more in add-ons. Leeds confirmed the capture in a statement this evening. Leeds say the transfer fee is 'undisclosed' and have given clarity on the contract handed out to the midfielder. What Leeds United have said about the signing of Sean Longstaff Leeds said in a statement: "Leeds United are delighted to announce the signing of Sean Longstaff, who joins the club from Newcastle United for ...

New away strip celebrates club's history. Leeds United and adidas have revealed the away kit for the 2025/26 season, a design that celebrates the club’s European history with a modern aesthetic. For generations of Leeds United fans, the 2001 to 2003 away kit has been a fan favourite and will bring back nostalgia from European trips, where the club graced grounds across the continent creating lifelong memories for supporters. The new jersey is inspired by the club’s iconic Leeds primary blue with vibrant yellow hues and features a horizontal design embossing to the base, adding a sophisticated texture. Further design elements such as a sewn-on club badge and the two-colour three-stripes on the shoulders provide added contemporary style to a classic design. Maintaining the connection between players and supporters, the jersey is completed with a “WE ARE LEEDS” sign off motto, evoking the passion, pride and unity on the pitch and in the stands. The jersey will be accompanied b...

By Kyle Newbould Leeds United appear to be zoning in on midfield reinforcements with just over one month until their Premier League return. Leeds United appear to have taken a big step forward in their pursuit of Anton Stach amid reports the midfielder has agreed personal terms on a move to Elland Road. The YEP exclusively reported on interest in Stach almost three weeks ago, with Leeds identifying the ball-winning midfielder as a prime candidate to add the kind of physicality and experience Daniel Farke desires. The 6ft 4ins German international is considered one of the best ball-winners in the Bundesliga and is expected to attract interest from several possible rivals. Leeds missed out on £47million pair Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki to Sunderland but still saw the Hoffenheim midfielder and Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff as viable transfer targets, with a £15m agreement reached in principle for the latter this week. And now Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has provided an ...

By Dominic Scurr Sean Longstaff reacted to Leeds United’s rejected transfer offer in the perfect way at Newcastle United. Longstaff is into the final year of his contract and open to leaving Newcastle this summer as he looks for regular first-team football. The 27-year-old hasn’t started a Premier League game for Newcastle since 2024 and was subject to a £12million transfer bid from Leeds United earlier this month. The offer was rejected by Newcastle, but Leeds have since returned with a £15million proposal (£12million plus £3million in add-ons) that has been agreed in principle, as per The Athletic. Although Longstaff has played a peripheral role at St James’ Park over the past year and his contract expires in June 2026, his solid footballing CV justifies Newcastle holding out for an increased fee. There aren’t many English midfielders who have scored in the Champions League, won a major trophy and helped a side finish in the top seven in the Premier League in each of the la...

Kris Smith Leeds United announced a contract extension for Dan James this week to extend the winger’s stay at Elland Road until the summer of 2029. Incoming business and speculation has slowed significantly over the past week since Gabriel Gudmundsson’s arrival, but the club have clearly been working hard in the meantime. Other business has also been wrapped up in the form of new contracts, with Dan James the latest to pen fresh terms. Monday evening brought confirmation of previous reports that James has penned a new contract to keep him at Elland Road for the foreseeable future. James had seen his contract enter the final 12 months, having joined from Manchester United in 2021 for £25million on a five-year contract. The Wales international’s new deal sees him tied down for four years until the summer of 2029, taking him to the age of 31 in West Yorkshire. Hidden PSR boost revealed with Dan James’ new Leeds United deal agreed On top of just tying down the 24/25 club Pl...

Leeds United are set to sign Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff with an agreement said to have been reached Leeds United have reached an agreement to sign Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff. Leeds Live understands the Whites have had three bids rejected for Longstaff this summer. The latest offer, believed to be an initial £10 million plus a further £2m in potential add-ons, was knocked back last week. Sources in the north east say the Magpies are holding out for a higher fee than Leeds have offered to help ensure they continue to navigate profitability and sustainability (PSR) regulations. LeedsLive's sister title in the north-east, ChronicleLive, has reported that an agreement in principle has been reached over a £12m move. It is said that Longstaff's valuation was close to the limit Leeds were willing to pay for him, with other candidates on their radar for a transfer if a move for the 27-year-old could not be completed. But his move to Elland Road now looks set ...

By Lee Sobot Leeds have received a huge boost by an international star signing a new long-term deal. Leeds United star Dan James has committed his future to the club by signing a new long-term deal, providing the Whites with a huge boost ahead of their Premier League return. Wales international winger James played a key role in helping Daniel Farke’s Whites to promotion as 2024-25 Championship champions, supplying 12 goals and nine assists from 36 matches played. The 27-year-old’s displays saw him voted by supporters as the club’s Player of the Season and also named in the EFL’s official Championship team of the year. Winger’s existing Leeds contract only ran until the summer of 2026 The winger’s existing Leeds contract only ran until the summer of 2026 but James has now put pen to paper on a new four-year deal which runs until the summer of 2029. James joined Leeds from Manchester United for £25m back in August 2021 and the flying winger has since made 123 appearances fo...

By Lee Sobot Patrick Bamford has been pictured looking in excellent shape on his Leeds United return. Whites no 9 Patrick Bamford has opened up on summer fitness work, the Leeds United return and the fight for places in Daniel Farke’s side. Bamford’s 2024-25 campaign was heavily disrupted by injuries but the striker impressed when returning for the season run-in during seven second-half outings from the bench. Leeds also finished the season strongly as a team, an amazing haul of seven wins and three draws from the club’s last ten games leading to promotion as Championship champions and now a Premier League return. Speaking earlier this summer, Bamford expressed his belief that Premier League football actually suits him better and declared his high hopes for a very fruitful 2025-26 top-flight campaign. Ahead of that new campaign, United’s players returned to pre-season training on Monday and Bamford in particular was seen looking in very lean and noticeably muscular shape. ...

by Kwadwo Hemeng Leeds United would have been hoping for a few more exits this summer. The club’s transfer business has been bringing new players in so far. The Whites have signed four new players in the transfer window. Lukas Nmecha, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol and Gabriel Gudmundsson have been solid additions from very good teams around Europe. On the other hand, the only transfer exit this summer is Max Wober. The Austrian left the club to join Werder Bremen on a loan deal. Some would be disappointed, as there are quite a few names that have been linked with moves away from the club. Earlier this summer, Illan Meslier, Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt were some of the players tipped to leave. Jack Harrison surprised a lot of people when he returned to Elland Road after his loan at Everton. Many expected him to join the Toffees on a permanent deal. But now, the forward is back, and has even joined the squad for pre-season preparations. His future is up in the air, with Eve...

The carrier Words by: Chris McMenamy Leeds United’s summer of sensible signings continues, having now signed a left-back in the form of Sweden’s Gabriel Gudmundsson. He becomes the third defender to join after Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw, which presumably means the club’s recruitment team are approaching the transfer market like a trip to the supermarket, moving onto the midfield next. Other than looking like Sam Fender’s big brother who turned down a music career in favour of a job in finance, what’s the craic with Gabriel Gudmundsson? Career so far Gudmundsson came through the academy at Halmstad, whose famous graduates include Freddie Ljungberg and Marcus Antonsson. He made his senior debut a week after his seventeenth birthday, playing a bit part in Halmstad’s promotion back to Allsvenskan, the Swedish top flight. He scored four times in the 2017 Allsvenskan, playing mostly as a winger or tucked in behind a striker with another narrow winger — at the risk of sound...

Harry Dimond So far in this window, Leeds have spent just over £30m on four new additions. Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and Gabriel Gudmundsson have entered the frame at Elland Road. Although these are sensible deals that will no doubt improve the squad, fans are still waiting for that marquee signing for Daniel Farke. £120m was expected on four ‘priority’ positions, which include a striker and goalkeeper, two areas the Whites desperately need to tick off, but is that £120m actually available to the 49ers? Football Finance Expert explains Leeds United’s transfer budget There have been claims of different figures for Leeds’ available budget this window. Kieran Maguire, who is known to be the main man when it comes to football finance, suggested Leeds have £100m at their disposal. But elsewhere £150m has been quoted for Leeds, so it begs the question, how much is actually of use? Well, with Paraag Marathe aiming for Europe as the long-term ambition, he ...

By Mark Carruthers Leeds United have been attempting to negotiate a deal for Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff and Whites’ fans will find some recent comments by Eddie Howe interesting. With a move for Lille and Sweden defender Gabriel Gudmundsson now completed, Daniel Farke and the Elland Road hierarchy have turned their focus towards at least one new addition in midfield and Longstaff has been targeted, though developments today detailed by the YEP reveal a latest offer has been turned down. The Magpies academy product would bring a wealth of Premier League experience after making over 170 top flight appearances since breaking into the Newcastle senior setup under Rafa Benitez in 2018. The 27-year-old also featured in the Magpies’ Champions League campaign during the 2023/24 season and scored in a 4-1 home win against Paris Saint-Germain as UEFA’s elite club competition made a memorable return to St James Park for the first time in two decades. Longstaff’s ability to...

Leeds United are far from the only club set to be impacted by the big change Isaac Johnson A new independent football regulator is set to become law after MPs voted in favour of backing the Football Governance Bill. The watchdog will be separate of the government, which will hand the regulator powers to oversee the top five divisions of English football. Leeds United and 113 other clubs will come under its jurisdiction once the bill is ratified, which could happen in the coming months. The purpose of the regulator will be to ensure clubs are run sustainably and are accountable to their fans, while also securing the financial footing of the domestic pyramid as a whole. It will furthermore aim to protect the heritage aspects of a club that matter most to supporters and local community. The regulator will meanwhile possess ‘backstop’ powers to impose a financial sustenance agreement from the Premier League to the EFL, if a settlement cannot be agreed between them on their own ac...

Daniel Farke has several decisions to make before the start of the season Isaac Johnson Most of the Leeds United squad has now returned for pre-season testing after a summer of celebration. A handful have been allowed a delayed return after taking part in international competition. Mateo Joseph - who will speak to the club about his next steps - and Wilfried Gnonto will both return to base next week after representing Spain and Italy respectively in this summer’s Under-21 European Championships. Brenden Aaronson will return a little while after having only competed in the USA’s Gold Cup final defeat to Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning. Nevertheless, Monday marked the start of pre-season and Daniel Farke will be in the process of ramping up certain objectives on his to-do list. Tactical changes It’s unlikely that Farke will deviate from his traditional 4-2-3-1 formation having used it for the majority of his managerial career. Sources have informed Leeds Live that...

By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have signed teenage centre-back Louis Enahoro-Marcus on a two-year deal. The former Liverpool youngster joins up with the Leeds academy setup ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. As reported by the YEP earlier this week, Enahoro-Marcus was released by Liverpool at the end of his contract and arrives at Elland Road on a free transfer. A tall and imposing presence in youth football, Enahoro-Marcus featured regularly for Liverpool's Under-18 side last season, scoring against Leeds during a 2-2 draw. His arrival is expected to be followed by Manchester City and Wales youngster Jayden Lienou. An official club statement announcing Enahoro-Marcus' signing read: "Everyone at Leeds United would like to welcome Louis to the club and we look forward to seeing his development with the Whites."

His initial contract at Leeds United expired last week Leeds United have announced that Sam Byram has signed a new one-year contract, extending his stay at his boyhood club. Byram has played 219 games for the Whites across two stints, having initially departed for West Ham United in 2016. He returned to Elland Road in 2023 after spells at Nottingham Forest and Norwich City, under Daniel Farke. Byram had technically been a free agent for a week after his last Leeds contract expired. However, he evidently remained in discussions with United over a renewal, having initially told the club his preference was to stay at Leeds. Byram has the ability to play in both full-back positions and his renewal slims the chance of United looking for a new wide defender, with Gabriel Gudmundsson arriving as the new primary left-back in a £10million deal earlier on Tuesday. Isaac Schmidt, who can also play on either flank, remains in the ranks amid Junior Firpo’s decision to leave for Real Betis...

Defender becomes fourth signing of the summer. Leeds United are delighted to announce Gabriel Gudmundsson has joined the club from French side Lille for an undisclosed fee, subject to a work permit and international clearance. The left-back becomes the Whites’ fourth signing of the summer, after penning a four-year deal that will keep him at Elland Road until 2029. The 26-year-old makes the switch from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy having enjoyed an impressive campaign with Les Dogues last term, featuring 45 times across all competitions. Those appearances included nine outings in the UEFA Champions League where Gudmundsson helped Lille to a seventh-place finish in the league phase, reaching the round of 16. Deployed in different roles down the left flank during that time, Gabriel showed his defensive qualities as he played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory over Spanish giants Real Madrid, before going on to impress further in matches against Atlético Madrid, Juventus and Liverp...

By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed the signing of Swedish international defender Gabriel Gudmundsson. The 26-year-old signs a four-year deal and becomes the Whites' fourth summer signing, subject to a work permit and international clearance. Gudmundsson leaves French club Lille OSC for a fee understood to be £10 million and further supplements Daniel Farke's back-line ahead of the new Premier League season. Already this summer, Leeds have added Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw to Farke's defensive ranks. Gudmundsson at left-back and Bijol at centre-half were understood to be Leeds' first-choice targets in their respective positions during this window. Gudmundsson previously represented FC Groningen in the Netherlands and Halmstads BK in his homeland before signing for Lille four years ago. He leaves Ligue 1 having made just over a century of appearances in France's top flight, in addition to 13 UEFA Champions League and 10 UEFA Conference League ...

By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have officially submitted planning application to Leeds City Council for the expansion of Elland Road. The Whites have formally submitted their detailed plans for an enhanced West Stand and an outline of their proposal for the North Stand, which will take overall capacity to 53,000. It follows a three-month consultation period which has sought the opinions of fans and those living in the local community, which has communicated its overwhelming support to the club. According to a statement released by Leeds on Tuesday, July 8: "97% of respondents supported an increase in capacity, 98% of respondents supported the design plans and 99% of respondents supported the economic benefits being delivered locally." United's chief business officer Morrie Eisenberg has been at the forefront of plans to enhance the supporter experience at Elland Road. He said: “We are delighted to submit a planning application to Leeds City Council, on schedule wi...

The Newcastle academy product has just one year left on his contract with the club Richard Jolly Leeds hope to sign Sean Longstaff after making a bid rising to £12m for the Newcastle United midfielder. The promoted club are willing to pay an initial £10m, plus a potential £2m in add-ons, for the 27-year-old. Longstaff has entered the last year of his contract at Newcastle and they risk losing him on a free transfer if they do not sell him this summer. Any fee for Longstaff would also constitute pure profit in terms of Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) as the local product came through Newcastle’s youth system. While Newcastle had to sell before 30 June last year to pass PSR and are in a better position now, they are also eager to spend after bidding for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. They had been frustrated in their attempts to sign forwards Joao Pedro and Bryan Mbeumo from Brighton and Brentford respectively...