Speaking after signing a new long-term deal at Elland Road, Leeds United skipper Ethan Ampadu told LUTV of his delight in extending his stay with the Whites.
The first-team captain, having just completed his third term with the club and his second wearing the armband, will remain in West Yorkshire until 2030, continuing a stellar spell that has seen him earn two Player of the Season awards and, more importantly, lift the Sky Bet Championship trophy last May.
“It is very exciting times and very pleased to have it sorted and out of the way,” the 25-year old began. “And now we can concentrate on hopefully building on what has been, especially the last two years, something very positive.
“We obviously knew that starting from the Championship the aim was to get promoted. We always had the ambition that we were going to achieve that. So, to have the second year and become champions and enjoy that with the whole city was amazing. And then especially last year, to be one of the teams to stay up for the first couple of seasons was massive. That was the target.”
The second of Ethan’s Player of the Season awards came after a scintillating first term back in the Premier League. The Wales international also collected the Players’ Player accolade and, reflecting on an incredible campaign that saw Daniel Farke’s side finish in 14th having collected 47 points, he believes there is plenty to look back on with pride.
“Personally, I think I have had a pretty good year!” Ampadu added. “It has been a year with a lot of learning. I don’t think I had the best of the first half of the year, to be honest with you, but I like to think that I gained a bit of confidence and improved my game in certain areas. I think that was definitely a collective thing as well. I think you could see by the performances.
“The momentum, we want to keep building from that. I think that is ultimately why I want to be in it and I love being here. And also, I wanted to be part of the team, a Leeds United team, that could do it because I think that is what Leeds United deserve.
“It has been probably one of my most enjoyable seasons, if not maybe the most. I have loved every minute of it, even during the tough times and the defeats we have had with it. It has been really good to see how we have come together as a team to try and build and learn and improve. I think that feel-good buzz is definitely around Leeds, not just players, staff, but I think maybe as a collective, as a city.”
Now tied down until 2030, Ampadu is confident the team can build on what has been an incredibly successful period during his time at Elland Road, achieving promotion from the second tier and managing to retain their top-flight status. That being said, however, he is under no illusions as to the size of the task as Leeds seek to become an established Premier League outfit.
“We are full of confidence that we can do. We are also realistic. I think for some teams, it should be shown that the second year can even maybe be a little bit harder. We want to build on the positivity and the environment and the atmosphere that has been created, especially the last second half of the season.
“We want to keep pushing on but we know how difficult that is going to be – it is the Premier League. I want to be a part of that. I want to be a part of taking Leeds United forward, not just myself, but the players we have here and everyone that wants to be involved in it.”
During his time with the club, Ethan’s commitment both on and off the pitch has endeared himself to the Leeds United faithful. Be it marshalling the midfield or his work within the community through the Leeds United Foundations and several other initiatives, Ampadu has led by example in his captaincy role which, alongside the backing of the supporters, means everything to him.
“I know the fans appreciate and love getting behind a player who gives everything. That is what I would like to say that I have shown. It is what I try and do every game. I want to give everything to win a game of football and to play my best. I know how big the fans are for this club and how they are for this city. So, to get the players, the club and the fans all pushing in the same direction is massive. It has been really enjoyable.
“I still try to be myself. I still try to keep to my standards. And with that, I know I have the responsibility to show that from myself and urge that from everyone else. But I think, as I said, one thing we have shown this year is that everyone is all in it together. It is definitely a responsibility that I love and that I enjoy. One that I also know that I am hopefully at the start of learning the role and I still have growth in that.”
