Leeds United transfers: Phil Hay explains how Daniel Farke made a big U-turn on a contract to re-sign a former star.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke did not want to re-sign Sam Byram this summer, but he quickly changed his mind after being thoroughly convinced by the player’s fitness and desire to play again at Elland Road.
Following Farke’s appointment as their new manager over the summer, the Whites are beginning to find their feet. Leeds faced an uncomfortable summer of transfer departures following their relegation from the Premier League, with 15 players from last season’s side all leaving Elland Road.
And, with several of their star players exploiting clauses in their contracts to negotiate moves elsewhere in the event of relegation, Farke and Co were left with a lot of work to do and not a lot of time
Farke, on the other hand, made good use of the window, bringing in a total of nine new players before the window officially closed on September 1.
While much was made of the additions of midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Glen Kamara, as well as striker Joel Piroe, for a combined fee of £24 million, nothing was made of Byram’s return to Elland Road, who was a free agent after leaving Norwich.
Initially brought in to assist him improve his fitness and try to negotiate a move elsewhere, the 30-year-old player, who began his career with Leeds in 2012, quickly worked on convincing Farke that he was worth taking on.
After overcoming the injury issues that have plagued his career, Leeds confirmed on the eve of the new season that Byram has signed a one-year contract.
