Leeds United have already given their fans plenty of things to get excited about in the last few days and the news is set to continue as the week grows older.
Firstly, Leeds confirmed the signing of Gabriel Gudmundsson from Lille on a four-year deal. The Sweden left-back has agreed a £10m move to Elland Road, coming in as a direct replacement for Junior Firpo.
Then, Leeds announced the club had submitted plans to the Leeds City Council to increase the Elland Road capacity by more than 15,000, to a whopping 53,000. A date for the decision is set for October 7.
Sean Longstaff’s move will be announced this week, while Leeds have also informed fans that Sam Byram will remain at Elland Road for one more season. Finally, Byram will play for Leeds in the Premier League.
✍️ 𝗕𝘆𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱!#LUFC is pleased to announce Sam Byram has put pen to paper on a new one year contract
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 8, 2025
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Alex Cairns reacts as Sam Byram signs new Leeds United deal
Leeds published their 2025-26 retained list, and aside from confirming the departures of 10 youngsters and Josuha Guilavogui, they also reported that the club was in talks with Firpo and Byram over new deals.
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Firpo has left, but Byram has chosen to stay put at Leeds for a third consecutive season. Byram has put pen to paper on a one-year deal until June 2026 and goalkeeper Alex Cairns has delivered his verdict.
The much-loved goalkeeper came through the Thorp Arch academy at the same time as Byram and now finds himself spending another year with him. He said online: “Another year of this smile every day.”
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Why Leeds have decided to keep Sam Byram for another season
Going into the summer, Leeds had four full-backs available to Daniel Farke. But since then, there was a danger that Leeds would wave goodbye to half of their full complement – but that has now all changed.
Leeds have replaced Firpo with Gudmundsson. Keeping Byram means Leeds at least are back to a full complement of four and while The Whites may choose to sign a new full-back, Byram lessens that need.
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Not only that, but Premier League rules require clubs to include eight homegrown players in their 25-man squad. Byram is not only homegrown, but club-trained given he trained for Leeds between 15 and 21.