Elland Road, the home of Leeds United
Niall Togher
Thu 4 September 2025 14:19, UK
Leeds United’s hierarchy have faced a lot of backlash in recent days.
Adam Underwood and the recruitment team were questioned after there were no new arrivals towards the backend of the window.
Paraag Marathe has come under the harshest criticism since his involvement with United, with Leeds’ chairman making promises the club ultimately couldn’t deliver upon in the window.
Managing director Robbie Evans’ statement regarding the club’s transfer business also left a lot to be desired, but the Whites hierarchy has finally unveiled something that is set to be positively received by the fanbase.
Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe
Credit: Imago
Robbie Evans ‘categorically’ denies relegation loan clauses
Following Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League in 2023, the Elland Road faithful were left distraught as it emerged that nearly every one of the club’s new signings, as well as existing players, had a relegation loan clause.
When activated, this clause allowed the player to leave on loan and Leeds could not refuse
The Whites were unable to sell these players, effectively losing them for nothing for a season
When some of the players returned after poor campaigns, their sell-on value for Leeds was far less
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Evans spoke to local media about this situation, with his full quotes available to read in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Evans confirmed that none of these clauses that completely removed United’s negotiation leverage have been put in any of the ten new arrivals’ contracts.
“So every player’s contract is different. I can say categorically we do not have any relegation loan clauses, which I found to be by far the most catastrophic; you lose a player for nothing,” Evans said.
Anton Stach playing for Leeds
Credit: Imago
Relegation release clauses still exist, however, confirms Robbie Evans
Last summer, Leeds lost Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray due to release clauses in their contracts.
Evans confirmed some of the new signings have release clauses in their contracts that can be activated in the event that Leeds are relegated from the Premier League.
“Some players have relegation sale clauses. All of them are at a price at or above, normally well above, the price we paid for them, and many of them don’t.”
Whilst these are still far from ideal, at least Leeds will be able to profit in most cases next summer if the worst-case scenario of relegation occurs.
The crucial thing for the fanbase was not to be left in a position where the club is powerless again, and lose players for nothing.
“I’m pretty confident that, to a man, any player that comes down, either we’ll be in control of their sale or not, or if they’re sold, I’m comfortable with the return they’ll have generated to make it worth our while to have them,” said Evans
For all they have been criticised, the Leeds hierarchy looks to have done a better job of this compared to the previous ownership, but hopefully Leeds can avoid the drop to avoid this situation in the first place.
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