Daniel James says being able to sort out his new contract with Leeds United so early in pre-season has allowed him to settle ahead of the Premier League campaign.
James penned a new four-year deal at Thorp Arch on Monday, keeping him at Leeds until 2029. His previous contract only had 12 months left to run so club chiefs were keen to tie the Welshman down to a new deal this summer.
The 27-year-old became a Whites centurion last season, marking his 100th appearance with a goal against Middlesbrough in December. He ended the season with 12 goals and nine assists and bagged the fan-voted club Player of the Season award in May.
Agreeing a new deal with James was one of the club’s non-transfer priorities this summer and the player himself is delighted that a conclusion in talks could be reached in good time, nullifying potential worry about his future in-season.
“I'm glad it's been done so early in pre-season and it's nice to just settle now and yeah, I am just excited for the future,” James told club media. “So I am absolutely delighted to extend my contract here, it definitely feels like home.
“It's an amazing club and I can't wait for the coming years. I've got a lot to give as a player and hopefully we'll go on to bigger things.”
James is no stranger to the Premier League, having played 106 matches in the top-flight for Manchester United, Fulham and Leeds. Inevitably, he will be looked to as one of the leaders in the dressing room as a result.
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“It feels strange for me to say that I'm a senior pro because I still feel really young. I think people still think I'm 18!” James said. “So yeah, it does feel weird, but you do take a lot more responsibility. I think naturally I try to take more responsibility out on the pitch now.
“I let the people who want to do the talking in the changing room, then I kind of try to lead by example on the pitch. But I think being a more senior player now, I have to give that experience to the players.”
As many as 12 current Leeds squad members have played Premier League football. Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Wilfried Gnonto are just three players who can lean on their former experiences next season - something that James believes gives the team more confidence about survival.
He explained: “That's somewhere where we want to establish ourselves as a Premier League team now and we know how tough it is. But to have a little bit of experience in the squad of how that feels as well makes us that little bit more ready to push on.”
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