Ethan Ampadu dubbed ‘shrewd’ addition set to bring experience beyond his years to Leeds United

We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United …

Ethan Ampadu is a “shrewd” signing by Leeds United with experience beyond his years and defensive versatility, according to Paul Robinson.

The Welshman was confirmed as Daniel Farke’s first Leeds signing earlier this month (19 July) [Leeds United], with the youngster tipped to feature regularly at Elland Road after a career mostly filled with loan spells.

The 22-year-old former Chelsea man earned a wealth of experience for such a young player, including regular international call-ups and four loan spells across different European leagues.

Now firmly a Leeds United man, Paul Robinson claims the move not only benefits Ampadu’s career but will greatly improve Farke’s side with his positional versatility.

Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “I think it’s his versatility that really appeals to the manager, as you say, he’s had a lot of loan moves and he’s still very, very young.

“You look at the clubs that he’s been to the experience that he’s had. I mean, I think he’s got 44 caps for Wales and he’s only 22.

“So you look at the experience that he’s got, he’s not played a lot in this country, he’s played abroad. Ampadu is a versatile player, which is the biggest attraction for the manager.

“Yes, he can play centre-half and a holding midfield role. But I think he can play anywhere across the back four, and I think having a player of that quality and that versatility.

“It’s good for him as well. I think at his age he’s been a bit of a nomad. He’s been put out on loan, here there and everywhere. If you look at his career, you look at his CV, he’s amassed a lot of games for somebody so young, but he’s got a lot of experience at different levels of football in different countries.

“Somebody like that will be a really good addition to this Leeds side simply because he can play anywhere but his quality as well and the international level.

“It’s quite a shrewd signing by the manager.”

In other Leeds United news, Coventry City boss Mark Robins has admitted that his Leeds-linked midfielder has his future in his own hands.