Sam Byram’s story at Leeds United is one of surprise, one of redemption among supporters. When he first rejoined the club, there was a feeling he had been given a deal out of sympathy.
Leaving Leeds in January 2016, 31-year-old Byram played just 98 games over the next seven and a half years for the likes of West Ham, Norwich and Nottingham Forest with injuries hampering the defender.
He played under Daniel Farke at Norwich but as a free agent, returned to Leeds in the summer of 2023 initially just to train and regain his fitness. But by the end of pre-season, he had signed a one-year deal.
Byram recalls Leeds fans singing to him at Hearts in a pre-season friendly, suggesting he had got a deal at Leeds because no-one else wanted him. Byram has proved everyone wrong, even his manager Farke.
Sam Byram matches Gordon Strachan’s 33-year-old record
Stuart Dallas described Byram as “Mr. Reliable” and he’s been just that. Even with his injury record, he has played 61 times for Leeds over the last 18 months and while there have been injuries, Byram has starred.
Farke says no-one could have expected this of Byram and he’s right. But incredibly, Byram is not only just surviving at Leeds but he is breaking records the latest of which is a 33-year-old Gordon Strachan stat.
The 1991-92 season saw Howard Wilkinson guide Leeds to the first division title, the last season before the top tier became the Premier League. In that season, Strachan went on a run of 23 games unbeaten.
Byram has now become the first player to go 20 games unbeaten, the longest run of any Leeds player since Strachan’s incredible 23-game stretch. In that run, Byram has helped Leeds win 14 and draw six.
Leeds United have to take action and keep Sam Byram at all costs
Byram has been immaculate. While not as attacking as a Jayden Bogle, Isaac Schmidt or Junior Firpo, the defender is always a solid 7/10 at least when he does play and defensively, probably Leeds’ best full-back.
His contract expires at the end of the season and Byram has made it clear he would love to stay put. Whether Leeds get promoted or stay in the Championship, Leeds simply have to hand him a new deal.
He might not be first choice in the Premier League and he will probably be back-up in the Championship moving forward. But Byram has got to be kept at Leeds, because as Dallas says, he is reliable for Farke.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
