Few Leeds United fans would disagree with this piece of transfer business
11:05, 26 May 2026
Ethan Ampadu was a major doubt heading into the game
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Ethan Ampadu is out of contract in 2027(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Leeds United hero Jermaine Beckford believes it is “vital” that the club makes the contract renewal of Ethan Ampadu the first signing of the summer.
The Whites captain enters the final 12 months of his deal in July and Leeds are expected to make concerted efforts to tie him down to new terms after an impressive season back in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old has been named by manager Daniel Farke as his most important player and on Sunday he underlined the need for Leeds to hold onto the core of the squad this summer ahead of possible interest in key stars.
Ampadu - who won club player and players’ player of the year at Leeds’ end-of-season awards last week - cost United a mere £7m upon his arrival from Chelsea in 2023. His leadership both on and off the pitch has been integral to the club’s progress during Farke’s reign.
Therefore Beckford says his contract renewal should be the first squad act of the summer. “For me it's vital,” he told Leeds Live regarding a new deal for Ampadu.
“You look at what he's been able to achieve since he signed for the club. The steps he's made to improve himself on a personal level, but also those around him. And that's the sign of a true leader.
“He does dictate play by being vocal, but it's what he does off the board as well. Off the pitch, he leads by example. His work ethic, his work rate, his determination, his drive. The way he puts his body on the line, he's not afraid to get kicked in the head.
“And that's just part of being the leader, being the guy that everybody looks up to. He's come on leaps and bounds since he first signed for the club. And the respect he gets all over the place is justified. For me, that has to be the first signing of the summer.”
Pascal Struijk is also out of contract in a year’s time, having now been at the club for six years. The centre-back had offers last summer and interest could spark up again this time around given his growth throughout the campaign.
Beckford is keen for Leeds to dissolve any exit speculation by handing him a renewal. He added: “Similar to Ethan, you look at the quality he [Struijk] possesses, how well he's done back in the Premier League as well.
“Very strong, very organised. I use the word discipline. He's quite robust as well, so I love the guy. I would like to see him stay for another couple of years.”
Jermaine Beckford was speaking to Leeds Live courtesy of Mr Luck.
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