James Maddison and Wan-Bissaka react after Leeds forward deal agreed
Leeds winger Daniel James shared an emotional message in reaction after a deal was agreed with the club.
Leeds were dominant in the Championship last season and are currently preparing their Premier League return following a two-year absence.
Daniel Farke has already strengthened his squad ahead of the top-flight campaign, as Leeds have brought in Lukas Nmecha, Sebastian Bornauw and Jaka Bijol.
Meanwhile, James’ future had been a talking point going into the summer, with the winger entering the final year of his contract despite a standout season.
Leeds fans had consistently called for the club to secure James’ long-term future, and he certainly proved his value, registering 21 goal contributions across the campaign.
In his latest update, it appears the Welsh international has committed to staying at Elland Road, offering reassurance to supporters ahead of the new season.
| Season statistics | Dan James in 2024/25. |
| Appearances | 36 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Assists | 9 |
Dan James signs new Leeds contract and sends heartfelt message to fans
It was confirmed earlier this week that James has signed a new four-year deal with Leeds, committing his future to the club following a standout campaign.
The winger reacted to the news with a one-word post on Instagram, sharing photos of the contract signing and captioning it: “Home” with a white heart emoji.
His update drew widespread attention, with likes from across the Premier League, including Tottenham’s James Maddison, West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and teammate Illan Meslier.
There was a flurry of supportive comments too, with former Leeds captain Liam Cooper writing: “Very well deserved DEEJ proud of you mate” while Luke Ayling added: “Nobody deserves that more fella!! Congratulations my boy.”
James was one of the standout performers for Leeds last season, earning Leeds’ Player of the Season award for 2024/25 after scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists. Since arriving in 2021, he has made 123 appearances for the Whites, contributing to 51 goals in total.
Illan Meslier future in doubt amid Leeds goalkeeper search
While Meslier showed support for James on social media, his own future at Elland Road remains unclear.
The French goalkeeper lost his starting spot under Farke towards the end of the season after multiple errors, and Football Insider reported in April that Leeds are expected to bring in a new goalkeeper during the summer window.
Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner has been identified as a target for Leeds, and any arrival could push Meslier further down the pecking order, with a potential exit from the club still on the cards.