Sam Byram has penned a one-year deal at Leeds United, returning to the club after leaving Elland Road seven and a half years ago to join West Ham – prompting reaction from Mirco Antenucci, Alex Mowatt, Lewis Cook and others.
Byram, 29, has been a regular in pre-season. Brought into training by Daniel Farke, the man who managed him while at Norwich, the versatile full-back came on against Monaco, started against Forest and then came on at Hearts.
A Leeds academy product that came along on the same conveyor belt as the likes of Mowatt, Cook, Charlie Taylor and then Kalvin Phillips – Byram played 143 times in all competitions for the Whites. He laid on 22 goals and assists.
Now back at Elland Road after managing just 98 games since his exit from Leeds in January 2016, with injuries really hampering the defender – he took to Instagram. Byram underlined his delight at returning to where it all started.
Sam Byram pens new Leeds deal: Alex Mowatt and Mirco Antenucci react
What Byram gives, as our third signing of the summer, is cover at both left-back and right-back. Cody Drameh has been injured for the last couple of weeks, with Luke Ayling likely to start on Sunday. Leo Hjelde may start on the left.
But having an option like Byram on the bench – a player that knows the club, knows what it means to wear the Leeds badge – will be crucial. He can cover more than just a couple of positions and on a free, he is an absolute no-brainer.
He will now be available for Sunday’s Championship opener against Cardiff, as Leeds play host to the Welsh side. A start though looks unlikely – with Ayling and Hjelde expected to remain on the flanks. Three points is crucial.
Plenty responded to Byram’s Instagram post. Mostly consisting of former teammates, the likes of Antenucci, Cook, Mowatt and Ross McCormack all commented – along with currently Leeds stars like Joe Gelhardt and Archie Gray.
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