Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Wed 3 June 2026 11:36, UK

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Ethan Ampadu enjoyed a fine performance in Wales’ 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday in his first showing since the end of Leeds United’s season.

Lewis Koumas’ stoppage-time equaliser cancelled out Caleb Yirenkyi’s opener at the Cardiff City Stadium, in a game that served different purposes for each team.

While simply a friendly for Wales, the match was Ghana’s final warm-up ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Craig Bellamy’s side ultimately failed to qualify back in March, after they were beaten on penalties by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-offs.

The break will at least allow Leeds transfer chiefs to work on agreeing a new contract with Ampadu, with the captain’s deal now down to its final year.

Welsh media praise Ethan Ampadu

Football Insider exclusively revealed in May that Leeds’ talks with Ampadu are set to accelerate after Premier League safety was confirmed, but the lack of developments since has caused some concern.

Should he indicate his willingness to move on this summer, the 25-year-old will undoubtedly have plenty of suitors in the Premier League.

Leeds will insist that any delay is simply due to negotiation, however, with both sides fully expecting an agreement to be reached.

Until that announcement comes, performances like Ampadu’s on Tuesday could well attract further interested sides.

The midfielder was in fine form, completing two tackles, four interceptions and a huge nine recoveries on the night.

His performance was of the calibre that Leeds fans have come to expect, after a season in which he wore the armband for 35 of their 38 Premier League games.

🥶 pic.twitter.com/nvuoG2rgLA

— Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@Cymru) June 2, 2026

Wales Online were full of praise for Ampadu’s performance, rating him with a seven out of 10. “Mopped up brilliantly in defence and was often at the base of his side’s most promising moves,” the website wrote.

“Faded after the break, but still a good shift.”

Daniel Farke’s latest comments on Ampadu’s contract

Better than anyone, Daniel Farke will be well aware of just how important it is that Leeds reach an agreement on Ampadu’s contract.

This season, the German has started him in every single game that he had him available for, and that was pretty much the case last season, too.

The 25-year-old is central to Farke’s system, and his departure would undoubtedly be a massive blow to the project at Elland Road.

🏆 Taking the Player of the Year Award with 30% of the overall vote… Our Captain, Ethan Ampadu!

Presented by @adidasfootball pic.twitter.com/lCRZnmz1dV

— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 19, 2026

“You know how much I think about him and everyone can read between the lines and know what I think about this topic,” he said on Ampadu’s contract situation last month.

“I won’t speak about the future, I won’t speak about what will happen in the summer. Right now it is confirmed and I promise you in the next press conference or whenever you ask me the question, I will give you detail.

“But don’t be too angry with me that straight after the game. Right now, I’m just focused on this game and I don’t want to overdo it.

“I’m just happy and proud of him and all my players for what we have achieved.”