Leeds United duo's contract celebrations sum up why supporters so excited about future

Leeds United duo Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood made a visit to Liam Cooper’s LC6 Academy on Tuesday evening. The Whites youngsters showed their faces and joined in with training on the same day their new long-term contracts were announced.

Gelhardt put pen-to-paper on a new five-year-deal at Elland Road to take him up until the summer of 2027, while Greenwood’s fresh terms will extend his stay until the summer of 2026. Fellow youngster Crysencio Summerville also signed a new four-year-deal.

Both Gelhardt and Greenwood have known each other for several years now having first played together for England’s Under-17s. Their career pathways have taken a similar trajectory since then, both joining Leeds in the summer of 2020 following the club’s promotion to the Premier League.

The duo were among Leeds U23s’ most impressive performers during their first year at the club and they were then rewarded with first team appearances during the 2021/22 campaign. Gelhardt was the first to make a real impact as he contributed directly to six goals, while Greenwood really made a name for himself by starting Leeds’ crucial final day victory at Brentford in May.

And on a big day for the pair of them on Tuesday, both made the effort to visit and train with the children down at the LC6 Academy. Writing on his Instagram story, Cooper thanked Gelhardt and Greenwood for their appearance and claimed it is a testimony to their characters.

He said: “Just signed a new deal and straight to LC6 Academy to see the kids. Tells you everything you need to know about these lads. Thanks boys.”