'I wanted' - Ethan Ampadu lifts lid on 'open dialogue' with Leeds United regarding contract renewal
Ethan Ampadu has spoken about his decision to pen a new contract at Leeds United
Ethan Ampadu was only ever focused on staying at Leeds United when it came to contract negotiations.
The 25-year-old has been a mainstay in Daniel Farke’s starting XI since his £7m move from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.
He has been a consistently excellent performer for the Whites and was named as the club’s captain following the expiry of Liam Cooper’s contract in 2024.
Ethan Ampadu on Leeds United contract renewal
“Everyone could always get to a point where they might have some interest,” he told The Athletic. “But I wanted to renew here.
“I am very excited about where this club could go. I was focused on that rather than taking an interest in what else was out there.
“It was never a forced conversation. It’s always quite an open dialogue. I know how the manager feels, how the owners feel. I like to think they know my vision as well and it’s all pretty aligned. When you make a big decision, you have to weigh up everything. But it was a good, healthy conversation.”
Ethan Ampadu settled at Leeds United
Ampadu was prised from Exeter City’s grip by Chelsea as a 16-year-old but found first-team opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge.
He found himself in the loan system, having spells at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United, Venezia and Spezia before leaving Chelsea for Leeds on a permanent basis.
The Wales international has laid down roots in West Yorkshire - and still looks to be enjoying having a place to call home.
“I’ve found somewhere and settled,” he said. “I’ve played my best football but I’m hopeful the next four or five years are going to be better than the previous three years. The owners and investors are pushing really hard to take the club back to the heights of European football.
“There’s a lot of work in progress and we still have so much more potential to give. Then we’ve also got a fanbase that wants to do that, so collectively it’s a really big thing.”