‘Brilliant News’ – Whelan blown away by Leeds-49ers development
San Francisco 49ers have increased their share in Leeds United from 15% to 37% in a £50million deal — a show of real “commitment“, says Noel Whelan.
The former Whites forward and lifelong fan spoke exclusively to Football Insider after the NFL side’s shareholding increase was finalised on Monday.
Leeds are targeting European football by 2024 and majority stakeholder Andrea Radrizzani has promised that contract talks will take place with adored manager Marcelo Bielsa in the summer.
With the Whites 12th in the Premier League and playing electrifying football, the mood among the fans is arguably more positive than it has been in years.
And Whelan believes that, while the funds injected by 49ers may not be used in the transfer market, the development is cause for even greater levels of optimism.
Asked if he felt this was a significant moment for the club moving forward, Whelan told Football Insider: “Yeah, I think so. It’s brilliant news we’re getting the investment, it’s a tight-knit community between the 49ers and Leeds United now.
“It shows the owners’ commitment, it shows that we’re trying to move the club forward into bigger and better things.
“It wasn’t about [Radrizzani] going out there in the transfer market in January. I think that is basically to sustain the club, keep it going and pay for debts that we can’t pay with fans not coming through the turnstiles right now.
“It’s fantastic that we’re in a good, healthy place financially. It’s great that we got the backing of the 49ers who are investing into the club as well, but I can only see bigger and better things later on in the future when we retain our Premier League status next season.”
The president of the 49ers Paraag Marathe was named as Leeds’ vice-chairman as part of the deal.
Speaking after the announcement, Radrizzani outlined his intentions to redevelop Elland Road as part of the club’s long-term strategy.
In other news, a top pundit has praised Andrea Radrizzani’s decision to keep Leeds’ transfer activity confined to the summer window.