Ethan Ampadu signs new long-term contract to anchor Leeds United future

Leeds United have tied down their captain for the long haul, with chairman Paraag Marathe taking the unusual step of personally revealing that Ethan Ampadu has put pen to paper on a new four-year contract.

The 25-year-old Wales international of Ghanaian descent, who arrived at Elland Road from Chelsea in July 2023, has now committed his future to the West Yorkshire club in a deal the chairman regards as central to his plans.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Marathe relished the chance to deliver the announcement himself.

“It’s rare when, as a club, you’re able to break your own news, and I’ll do that right now. I can proudly announce that we have signed Ethan Ampadu to a new four-year contract.”

For Marathe, securing the services of a figure who has shaped the dressing room was a priority that could not be ignored.

“The ink is dry and it’s done and I think we’ll announce it shortly. That was important, to have our captain locked up and signed up for us because he’s been such a leader on and off the pitch.”

The chairman framed the agreement as the first step in a wider strategy to preserve the squad that has driven the club’s recent success. “But no doubt, we want to continue to keep the core together. We have such a really good group and the longer they stay together and coalesce together, the better the whole club will be.”

Ampadu’s importance has been evident on the pitch as much as off it. He played a pivotal role as Leeds clinched their return to the Premier League at the close of the 2024-25 campaign, pipping Burnley on goal difference to lift the Sky Bet Championship title.

Where the Clarets struggled, however, Leeds thrived, comfortably retaining their status in 14th with 47 points – eight clear of the drop – as their skipper featured in 35 of 38 league outings.