Leeds United’s players returned to pre-season training on Monday, and on Tuesday, they were back on the grass and undergoing a bleep test in front of LUTV cameras.
Daniel Farke was spotted as the Leeds squad was put through its paces, with returning players and new signings all in action. Gabriel Gudmundsson, Jaka Bijol, and Sebastiaan Bornauw took part in the session.
As did five players returning from loan spells. Darko Gyabi, Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt are all back at Elland Road after loans at Championship clubs, as was Charlie Crew after a loan at Doncaster Rovers.
Jack Harrison was also seen in action back at Thorp Arch, after spending the last two seasons on loan at Everton. Reports are suggesting that David Moyes may look to sign Harrison once again at Everton.
Sam Byram prepares for a throw-in for Leeds United against Swansea City.
Photo by Malcolm Bryce – LUFC/Leeds United via Getty Images
Surprise winner alongside Sam Byram in Leeds United bleep test
Jamie Shackleton dominated the bleep test in recent seasons until his departure in 2024, which saw the Leeds squad split into groups. Charlie Cresswell, Sam Byram and Pascal Struijk won last season’s tests.
This time around, the Leeds squad underwent the bleep test in one big group. It will come as no surprise to Leeds fans that Byram was victorious once again, fresh after agreeing a new one-year deal at Leeds.
But alongside him was £16m signing Joel Piroe, who is not famed for his speed or his stamina and in fact, is more-renowned for his laid-back style. Perhaps, a sign Piroe is ready to show he can lead the attack.
When Leeds United will play their first pre-season friendly…
With pre-season fully underway, Leeds are back in action in just nine days when Farke’s men go to Sweden to play bitter rivals Manchester United at the Strawberry Stadium in Stockholm on July 19.
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It will be interesting to see what kind of squad is picked, in a game that proved to be Farke’s first-ever game in the dugout as Leeds manager back in the summer of 2023, a pre-season friendly in Oslo.
Will Harrison be involved, alongside the likes of Gelhardt and Greenwood? What involvement will the new signings have and will there be any others added? Leeds then go to Germany before facing Villarreal.