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Leeds United fans don’t know how lucky they just got with Ethan Ampadu

Ethan Ampadu looks to finally have found a home in Leeds United - and it could potentially be the boost needed for his career to really take off

Ethan Ampadu is pictured at Elland Road after signing with Leeds United on July 19, 2023
Ethan Ampadu is pictured at Elland Road after signing with Leeds United on July 19, 2023(Image: Leeds United)

Given how long he's been around, it's easy to forget Ethan Ampadu is just 22.

After making his senior debut for Exeter City at the age of 15, he's already racked up an astonishing 44 caps for Wales and appeared at two major international tournaments.


He's even gone through the character-building experience of relegation no less than three times, his latest coming during a spell at Italian side Spezia. Many often play for twice as long without going round the block as many times.


READ MORE: Ethan Ampadu's first Leeds United words as Wales star reveals the two reasons why he joined

But despite the ups and downs, his stock has remained consistently high over the last few years. A confident presence on the ball either at the heart of the defence or as a pivot in midfield has often made him the first name on the teamsheet (outside of west London, anyway).

Many have also noted his incredible maturity for someone so young.

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"No match fazes him, I tell you," Exeter Director of Football Steve Perryman said back in 2018. "I have seen him in tricky situations in games. In bad weather, on bad pitches, against tricky opponents.

"He played in derby games against Plymouth Argyle and League Cup matches against Championship and Premier League opponents when he was only 15. Our opponents earmarked him as a player to stop and that takes coping with, but I have never seen him flustered.

"That is either on the ball or off the ball. On the pitch or off the pitch. He is not flustered. This kid is a class act without being a show off."


Antonio Conte noticed it too during his time at Chelsea.

“He shows great maturity, personality. I have spoken about him before in an enthusiastic way. He is showing great maturity. I don’t like to make gifts for someone. If you deserve to, I am ready to play you,” he said.

Unfortunately, Ampadu's opportunity at Stamford Bridge never really arrived, the Welshman becoming the latest in a long line of talented youngsters to never quite progress beyond the role of understudy to step into the spotlight.


As such, it would be unfair to really use it as a blue-coloured stick to beat him with.

The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino never felt likely to change matters, either. A fresh start suits all parties, and the price tag involved makes it a largely low-risk venture for Leeds.

For Ampadu, having achieved so much at international level, the time is now right for him to truly spread his wings at club level. After all, incredibly, his best years are arguably still ahead of him.

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Daniel Farke, who has always been a fan, clearly sees what Wales fans see. In fact, he actually tried to sign him on loan while in charge of Norwich City. One would imagine he will already have some idea on how to get the best out of the midfielder, who cited the 46-year-old as a key factor in his decision to make the move to Elland Road.

If the German can help Ampadu find another level to his game, £10m will look like an absolute a steal.

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