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Done deal: Leeds sealed contract on a defensive bulldozer

Leeds have signed Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu for an undisclosed fee.

The versatile Welshman, 22, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Elland Road.

For the past four seasons, the youngster has been on various loans, most recently at Spezia in Serie A.

Prior to that, he spent time at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United, and Venezia.

Ampadu joined the Blues in the summer of 2017 from his home-town club, Exeter City, and was, bizarrely, one of the longest-serving senior players at the club. Mail Sport reported on Monday that Leeds had made an offer for him.

Ethan Ampadu has joined Leeds’ Championship rebuild from Chelsea on a four-year deal

The 22-year-old has spent four seasons out on loan and only made 12 Chelsea appearances

He has already racked up 44 international appearances and played at two major tournaments

He only made 12 appearances in total for the Londoners, however, and will be hoping to gain more English football experience by dipping his toes in Championship waters.

Ampadu, who can play as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder, was not thought to be involved in new manager Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for their upcoming campaign.

Leeds are in the process of undergoing an overhaul following both their relegation from the Premier League and their sale to new owners the 49ers Enterprises.

Even at his age, he is something of a grizzled international veteran, having made 44 appearances and featured in the Euro 2022 and 2022 World Cup campaigns.

His arrival on the international scene in 2017 was fortuitously timed, with the Dragons enjoying a fruitful spell. Before finishing third at the 2016 Euros, Wales had not qualified for a major tournament since 1958

Daniel Farke personally spoke to Ethan Ampadu to convince him to make the switch to Leeds United this summer.

That’s according to The Athletic, with the outlet claiming that Farke will have control over which players are brought in this summer.

Leeds officially announced the signing of Ampadu from Chelsea today as the defender penned a four-year deal.

The 22-year-old has racked up experience in the Premier League with Sheffield United and has spent the last two seasons in Serie A.

Farke will be hoping to re-shape the Leeds squad in his image over the coming weeks and bringing in Ampadu is a brilliant start.

And it seems the German boss played a key role in convincing the defender to make the switch to Elland Road.

Farke convinced Ampadu to join Leeds

The Athletic claims that Farke had the final say on bringing in Ampadu this summer.

There is an agreement that from here on out, Farke will make the ultimate decision on Leeds’ signings this summer.

Ampadu didn’t really get his opportunity at Chelsea and has spent the majority of his first-team career out on loan.

But he’s an experienced international who has racked up a total of 43 appearances for Wales.

Of course, Leeds have already lost a few first-team regulars after suffering relegation from the Premier League, including the likes of Robin Koch and Rodrigo Moreno.

Some departures were certainly to be expected after dropping down to the Championship, but under new ownership and an exciting coach in Farke, Leeds will be hoping to build a side capable of challenging for promotion.

And signing Ampadu is certainly a positive start to the summer window for Leeds.

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