Leeds United, Dan James, and Daniel Farke are all back in the Premier League after two seasons without featuring at English football’s top table.
When Leeds United were last relegated in 2023, Dan James was on loan at Fulham, and Daniel Farke was just about to face a sacking at Borussia Monchengladbach after finishing 10th.
This time, the three are together as one heading back up, with James entering the top flight off the back of two outstanding Championship campaigns — including a second where he won Player of the Season.
Yesterday, the Welsh winger penned a new contract at Elland Road, with James taking a pay cut to remain with Leeds past 2026 and to sign a four-year deal until 2029 instead.
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Dan James’ Premier League ambition with Leeds
The 49ers acted quickly to agree a long-term contract for James to stay, with the 27-year-old now entering the prime years of his career with the club.
Some Leeds fans have questioned the contract length for James, given that it takes him up to being 31, but the majority are delighted with the fact he has sorted his future.
The same is also true of James himself, who spoke to LUTV and said: “Obviously, very pleased. It’s a massive day for me and my family. I’m glad it’s been done so early in pre-season. It’s nice to settle now and I’m just excited for the future.
“That day at that parade was one of the best days of my life. I think the next day was that little bit depressing, going back to the real world.
“I think for the fans it was just so nice to experience that, especially after the year before when we got so close. This felt that little bit better because of that.
“To win the league on the last day was just unbelievable — and here we are now. I was gutted to miss that last game and to experience that game as a fan was different.
“Not being able to affect things on the pitch, you know, it felt very different. To celebrate at full-time with the fans, I can’t really explain the feeling.
“Next day, we had the player awards, and then we had the open-top bus parade — yeah, that weekend was a blur. I’d do anything to experience them moments again.
“I didn’t actually think that many people lived in Leeds. Yeah, was an absolutely crazy experience. I think I would’ve loved to go round just one more time. For them to share them memories, it’s something us as players and them as fans will never forget.”
James then explained what survival will take but also his role in the squad changing, adding: “It goes back to working now. We’re in the Premier League now and we know how tough it is and it’s about working towards our goal.
“It feels strange to me to say that I am a senior pro, because I still feel really young; people still think I am 18. It does feel weird but you do take a lot more responsibility.
“I think, naturally, I do try to take more responsibility out on the pitch. I let the people who want to do the talking do that in the changing room. I try to lead by example on the pitch.
“I think, being a more senior player now, I’m happy to give that experience to other players more naturally and being there and being a little bit of a louder voice. As I have got older as a player, I’ve kind of drifted into that role more naturally, rather than it being forced.
“We want to establish ourselves as a Premier League team now. We know how tough it is, but to have a little bit of experience in the squad gives us that little bit more to push on.
“Absolutely delighted to extend my contract here. It feels like home and it’s an amazing club. I can’t wait for the coming years. I’ve got a lot to give as a player and hopefully it will go on to bigger things.”
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Jesse Marsch explains Dan James’ Premier League treatment after loan to Fulham
Only Illan Meslier and Jack Harrison have more Premier League appearances than James in Leeds’ current squad next season. That could be invaluable to have throughout the side.
However, it’s fair to say that James was mistreated by Leeds following them pushing him out to Fulham in a deadline day loan, when it had been made clear he was out-of-favour and dropping down the pecking order.
Back in September 2022, Jesse Marsch explained the reason for letting go of James the time to the BBC. He said: “It was clear that if we were going to be able to add something, then we needed to move something.
“And I hate speaking in that way about it because I love Dan James and he’s an incredible person. He always gives everything to the group, but we were trying to work out how to get the balance right.
“Dan was garnering the most interest and doing this was the only way to create flexibility to get in the striker we felt we needed.
“The way it went down was tough for him, though. I wish him luck – hope he has a good season, a good World Cup and then hopefully we see him next summer.”
This time around, James is firmly in Farke’s plans and a crucial part of the first-team furniture heading back into the Premier League.
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