'Our ambition does not stop here' - Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani wants more success following Premier League promotion as Whites go up as Championship winners

Leeds United owner and chairman Andrea Radrizzani insists that Leeds United's ambition does not stop with promotion to the Premier League.

The Whites 16-year wait to return to the top flight was finally brought to an end thanks to Huddersfield Town's 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at the John Smith's Stadium on Friday evening.

Leeds beat Barnsley 1-0 in a cagey affair on Thursday night to put one foot in the Premier League and the players were tuned in on Friday night to watch their promotion be confirmed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Since the Championship's restart, Leeds have been unshaken on their path back to the Premier League, winning five of their seven matches while keeping four clean sheets.

And following Brentford's 1-0 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday, the Whites were confirmed to be going up as Champions ahead of their trip to Derby County on Sunday.

“I am so happy for everyone in the Leeds United family, we all deserve this promotion," said Radrizzani.

"Leeds United is one of England’s greatest and most well-supported clubs with a rich history known all over the world.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We have been out of the top-flight for 16 years and I am thrilled for the whole club and our incredible fans that we are back in the Premier League.

DELIGHTED: Leeds United owner and chairman Andrea Radrizzani. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images.DELIGHTED: Leeds United owner and chairman Andrea Radrizzani. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images.
DELIGHTED: Leeds United owner and chairman Andrea Radrizzani. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images.

“I would like to congratulate our fantastic manager, Marcelo Bielsa, the entire coaching and backroom staff, and of course all of the players who have performed outstandingly throughout the season.

"Thank you to all our wonderful fans – I am so grateful for their loyal and unwavering support every season. They played a crucial role to drive us forward to promotion this year.

“Since my journey with Leeds United began in the summer of 2017, we have strived for this moment and it is a time for us all to celebrate the club returning to where we belong.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"This is truly an amazing achievement and I’m so proud to be part of this club’s success.

GOING UP: Leeds United players celebrate promotion. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.GOING UP: Leeds United players celebrate promotion. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.
GOING UP: Leeds United players celebrate promotion. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.

"But our ambition does not stop here – and we are determined to continue on this path of achievement in future seasons."

Supporters gathered outside Elland Road on Friday night to celebrate their side's success, with the majority of the Leeds squad watching events unfold from inside the stadium.

With social distancing measures still in place and fans not allowed back into stadia until October at the earliest, Radrizzani has urged fans to celebrate their triumph safely.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It is important that we all treasure this moment as a family in what has been a tough year for many of us, with the impact of Covid-19 affecting our community. I ask our supporters to be sensible when celebrating this week," he added.

THE WAIT IS OVER: Supporters gather outside Elland Road to celebrate promotion to the Premier League. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.THE WAIT IS OVER: Supporters gather outside Elland Road to celebrate promotion to the Premier League. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.
THE WAIT IS OVER: Supporters gather outside Elland Road to celebrate promotion to the Premier League. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.

"Our battle against the pandemic continues, so we must all act with care and safety – the health and well-being of our loved ones in our community must always be our top priority.

"Thank you to all club staff and their families, local authority officials and of course healthcare teams and essential key workers who made it possible for the season to conclude and gave us the chance to achieve this promotion.

"A final word about Norman Hunter and Jack Charlton, two club legends we lost recently and who would have certainly celebrated this achievement with us. They are part of a great legacy that we will work hard to honour, as we continue to take strides forward in a new cycle for this fantastic club.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, Brighton and Hove Albion have reaffirmed their stance on defender Ben White.

Speaking before their fixture with Newcastle United on Monday evening, Seagulls manager Graham Potter insisted that White will be returning to the south coast ahead of next season.

"We see Ben White as part of our plan. Everyone won, he got great experience and Leeds United got their goal of promotion," said Potter.

"We rate Ben highly, I've followed his career closely, we like him a lot. We'll see him in pre-season and he will be part of our group."

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.