Report names Leeds man as one of the under-the-radar signings of the summer, promotion ‘difference-maker’

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Leeds United midfielder Ethan Ampadu has been named as one of the 10 most ‘under-the-radar’ signings of the summer.

That is according to a report from the Athletic, who say Leeds’ £7 million pick up of the 22-year-old is already looking like a ‘great deal’, and he could be a ‘difference-maker’ in the race for promotion.

Ampadu became Leeds’ first addition of the San Francisco 49ers Enterprises era after joining from Chelsea in the middle of July.

He had been at Stamford Bridge since 2017 where he arrived from Exeter City as one of the most exciting prospects of the country, but as is often the case at Chelsea spent much of his time there out on loan.

In fact, Ampadu had been out on loan in each of the last four seasons in three different countries, starting at RB Leipzig before spells at Sheffield United, Venezia and Spezia.

Ampadu hailed as one of the most ‘under-the-radar’ signings of the summer

Since his arrival at Elland Road, Ampadu has played every minute of every game across all competitions and is already arguably Leeds’ most important player.

Ampadu is both excellent at winning back possession and keeping the ball, but is also capable of pulling off raking long-balls.

Here is a section of what the Athletic wrote on him: “All in all, the £7million ($8.7m) signing from Chelsea looks to be a great deal for a second-tier club buying a player with time to improve. So far, he has been a steady anchor in Leeds’ dramatic return to the Championship, putting together a string of solid performances with moments of inventive progressive play scattered throughout.

“A tenacious tackler, and an increasingly resourceful forward passer, Ampadu will be a reliable, high-quality tempo-setter throughout the season, and whisper it quietly, a potential difference-maker in a competitive race for promotion.”

Not only have Leeds finally been able to offer Ampadu a permanent home where he can settle, but also a single position he can focus on.

Throughout his career Ampadu has bounced between defence and midfield but under Daniel Farke it is the latter where has been given a platform to shine, which he very much is doing.

While still early days, this looks like a brilliant deal for all parties and one of the most intelligent pieces of business Leeds have done in a while.